Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) poor run in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is not likely to end soon. They suffered their sixth defeat of the season after going down against Kings XI Punjab by 12 runs at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Following their defeat, Rajasthan skipper Ajinkya Rahane pointed out that losing too many wickets at a stretch cost them the game.
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler and Rahul Tripathi got Rajasthan Royals off to a flying start in pursuit of 183 runs. Buttler pressed the fifth gear right from the start but debutant Arshdeep Singh got the better of the English cricketer to have Rajasthan at 38 for one. Although Sanju Samson combined well will Tripathi to set the platform, the middle-order failed to capitalise. Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice before the Stuart Binny show but it was not enough to overhaul the target. Ajinkya Rahane, who slow innings hurt his team badly, admitted that the target was chaseable. He also noted that losing too many wickets at the end made the difference between both the sides.
Ajinkya Rahane also mentioned that they need to learn from their mistakes and come out stronger in the next game.
“182 on that wicket was quite chaseable. We started well. Just a matter of two sixes. A game like this, you can’t criticise too much. In a chase like this, you can’t lose too many wickets in a bunch. Discussion between me and Stuart was to take it deep. Tripathi started really well. Should learn from our mistakes. These things happen in T20 cricket,” Rahane said at the post-match presentation.
Previously, Jofra Archer starred with the ball but a late flourish from Ravindrachandran Ashwin helped Kings XI Punjab post 180+ target. Besides, the top-order also made significant contributions before losing consecutive wickets after the dismissal of KL Rahul. Ajinkya Rahane hailed Jofra Archer and also praised his leg-spinner.
“Our bowlers bowled well. Our two legspinners in the middle overs were brilliant. Jofra’s four overs were critical,” he concluded.