Rajasthan Royals (RR) have suffered two close defeats within the span of three days, both matches they could have easily won. In each game, they needed just nine runs off the final over but fell short. Against Delhi Capitals (DC), they lost in the Super Over, and against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), they were beaten by just two runs.
These narrow losses have cost RR four valuable points, which could have helped them climb the IPL 2025 points table. Instead, they now sit eighth, with only two wins from their eight games so far at the halfway mark in the league stage.
Despite the setbacks, RR’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule feels that the team has been playing good cricket and remains focused moving forward. He noted that there is calmness in the dugout, crediting Rahul Dravid’s presence, and emphasised the importance of staying composed. He acknowledged the mistakes in T20 cricket, and expressed confidence in learning and focusing on the upcoming matches.
“To be honest, we’ve been playing good cricket. It’s just that the result has not gone away. In the dugout, there’s a lot of calmness with Rahul (Dravid) being there. Everybody has played enough cricket in that dugout to know that one should not panic and take it as it comes. But unfortunately, losing by two runs this game and the previous game with the super over, yes, it’s been hard, but that’s the way the game goes,” Bahutule said following the Royals’ loss against LSG in Jaipur on Saturday.
“T20 is a format where a lot of risk is involved. You make a lot of mistakes and our effort is to minimise those mistakes. I think when we had a partnership going, we could have finished it a couple of overs itself. But Avesh bowled that good over again. So, yeah, we could have finished it. But again, we are absolutely calm, composed about it and we just look forward for the next game,” he added.
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Sandeep Sharma is consistent: Bahutule
Bahutule acknowledged Sandeep Sharma’s consistent efforts in crucial overs and stressed that the team does not lose because of one player.
“That doesn’t mean I can take anything away from him because he’s a fabulous bowler. He’s always bowled those important and tough overs. Definitely, we would’ve had 20 runs less, maybe 10-15 runs lesser to chase. But (still) I think we were set to chase that target,” Bahutule said on Sandeep.
“Don’t think any team wins or loses because of a player. I’ll be honest with you, it is a team game. In the previous match too, he gave two overs with very few runs – 5 and 7 runs. So generally, we forget those important overs and we keep emphasising on overs which he has not bowled well. But I think for us, he is a 100% giver. And the team backs him, everybody backs him,” he added.
Young team will learn from the setbacks: Bahutule
He highlighted the importance of unity, especially in tough times, and felt the young side is learning from its mistakes. He admitted that despite being in strong positions, and having lost both matches, the team continues to back each other.
“It’s not easy to go there and perform day in and day out with the same intensity. But I just feel, I think we are a unit. Things are not going our way, the results are not going our way. But I feel it’s a young side and I’m sure everybody is hurting and they will learn from their mistakes. You were in a commanding position in both the matches, still you were on the losing side,” he said on the loss of the two close encounters.
There is clarity among us: Bahutule
Bahutule stated that the clarity among players and support staff, especially under Rahul Dravid’s guidance, is exceptional. He felt the plans were clear, but execution faltered in the final moments.
“The clarity with us, with the support staff and the players and in the dressing room is absolutely the best I’ve seen. Rahul is very clear about whatever the plans are, the game plans are. It’s just that on that particular day, the execution from players didn’t happen and it was just in that last over, things didn’t go our way. Most of the time, we were in the game and we were playing good cricket. So, I just feel that we just didn’t get over that finishing line. I think they will assess the situation and will let us know,” he said of the rumours about the team.
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