In the Indian Premier League 2025, the RR suffered yet another setback when the Lucknow Super Giants handed them their sixth defeat in eight games, dropping them to eighth place in the standings. After losing to the Delhi Capitals in the previous game’s Super Over, this was especially challenging.
Although it may appear difficult to salvage their standing from here in order to maintain their chances of qualifying, Sairaj Bahutule, the spin-bowling coach for the RR , is not very concerned about it.
“We’ve been playing good cricket, to be honest. The outcome hasn’t disappeared, though. With Rahul (Dravid) present, there’s a lot of peace in the dugout,” Bahutule stated during the news conference held after the game.
“Everyone knows that one should not worry and just accept things as they come because they have played enough cricket in that dugout. It’s been difficult, but that’s just the nature of the game. Unfortunately, we lost by two runs both this game and the last one with the super over.
“There is a lot of risk in the T20 format. We try to minimise the faults you make, which are numerous. I believe we could have completed it in a few overs alone when we were in a partnership. However, Avesh bowled that well once again. Yes, we could have completed it. However, we remain completely collected and peaceful about it, and we simply anticipate the next game.”
It was only natural to reflect on Sandeep Sharma’s final over, in which the pacer let up 27 runs, primarily as a result of Abdul Samad’s amazing power hitting, as the final score between the two teams was down to just two runs. Giving up a costly over was a logical move for one of the team’s most reliable and elite pacers, but Bahutule doesn’t buy into that.
“He’s a terrific bowler, so it doesn’t mean I can take anything away from him. He has consistently bowled the crucial and challenging overs. Without a doubt, we would have had 20 fewer runs to chase, perhaps even 10 to 15. The former Indian spinner stated, “But (still) I think we were set to chase that target.”
“Never assume that a player is the reason a team wins or loses. To tell the truth, it’s a team game. He handed up just five and seven runs in two overs in the preceding game as well. As a result, we tend to overlook such crucial overs and instead focus on the overs in which he has bowled poorly. However, I believe he is a complete giver for us. And everyone on the team supports him.
“Going there and performing with the same level of energy every day is difficult. However, I have the impression that we are one. Not only are things not going our way, but neither are the outcomes. However, it seems like a young side, and I have no doubt that everyone is in pain, but they will all grow from their mistakes. Even though you were in a dominant position for both games, you lost.”
The presence of former Indian captain and head coach Rahul Dravid has helped the team have complete clarity in terms of ideas and communication, Bahutule noted, despite the team’s lack of form.
“I have never witnessed such clarity among us, the players, the support staff, and the dressing room. Regarding the plans and game plans, Rahul is extremely clear. Simply said, on that specific day, players’ performance was lacking, and nothing went our way except in the last over.
“We were in the game and playing decent cricket most of the time. We simply didn’t cross that finish line, in my opinion. I believe they’ll evaluate the problem and report back to us.
India
