Just when it looked like Gujarat Lions have got their Midas touch back, the team, with its poor performance, diminished the hopes of the fans, as the team went on to lose another game to stay at the bottom of the points table, after playing exactly half of their league stage games.

From bowling to batting, everything went against Gujarat Lions, as despite winning the toss, the team lost the game. After deciding to bowl first, the bowlers leaked a total of 188 runs with the loss of just seven wickets. An injury to Nathu Singh also came at a wrong time and runs just flowed in the death overs as well.

It was a big chase for Gujarat Lions and they did not start well, as they lost wicket of Brendon McCullum in the very first over. There were partnerships in between but not strong enough which could really help the team to chase down the total.

At the end of the day, the home side found themselves short by a margin of 26 runs. Gujarat Lions now have to win each of their seven remaining games to qualify for the next round.

Here is what Suresh Raina, the captain of Gujarat Lions said after the game –

Suresh Raina:

“You can’t chase 190 every time. Bowlers have to do something. When I won the toss, we had the batsmen to chase a good total. We have lost all three-afternoon games. It is a learning for us and the bowlers have to step up. Nathu got cramps and I had to bowl Smithy, but still, the wicket was good. We kept losing a lot of wickets. The bowlers are lacking confidence, they are executing in the nets but not in the match. KXIP outplayed us and credit to them. When me and Finchy were batting it was possible (to chase). They bowled really well and changed the pace cleverly. It is difficult when the bowler is changing his pace. Something for our bowlers to learn. I can’t say anything this year. We have a couple of injuries, we still are a dangerous side. We will go there (Bengaluru), have a net session and hopefully be back.”