Our strategy wasn't wrong there - Ajinkya Rahane

Rajasthan Royals' journey in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 had been ended after they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in an eliminator round by 25 runs at packed Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday (May 23). However, Rajasthan Royal had their chance to win this game especially after they were in the dominating position on 109 for 1 after 14 overs in reply of 170 runs.

Rajasthan Royals hadn't put their foot wrong till the 14 over of their innings. But it was a shame that they could not cross the line despite playing their one of the best games in this IPL.



"Disappointed, especially given how we started, taking 4-5 wickets early. That partnership (Karthik and Gill) and the dropped catch of Russell hurt us. When you get the start like that, you generally look to win the game. I think KKR bowled really well. They know the conditions really well. It was gettable. They were 10-12 runs short. It's important to finish the games and we didn't have partnerships towards the end"

"When I and Sanju were batting, we were looking to play positively. I told him during the second time that I will go after the bowlers and that you bat through. But unfortunately, he got out. I think overall we played good cricket. Our bowling unit fantastic this season. Need to improve our batting and fielding," said Rahane in the presentation ceremony.

Rajasthan Royals were provided with a solid start by skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi. The Duo added 47-runs for the first wicket before Sanju Samson took charge on KKR along with Rahane. But once the second timeout had done, RR start losing their grip over the match. They lost Rahane and Samson in quick succession. With 61 runs required off 35 balls, RR needed someone to play a quick inning. Krishanppa Gowtham could have been that man who had a strike rate of 196.87 in this season. But Heinrich Klaasen walked out instead. The decision backfired RR as Klaasen could score run a ball 18.



"I think if you see, Klaasen is a really good batsman and he did really well in the last game. It is difficult when you get those runs...you try and think what if you had sent Gowtham at that number. We sent Klaasen...yes he tired his best but again KKR bowlers, especially the spinners, were really good," said Rahane in post-match conference.

"I think with our batting line-up, we wanted to go deep. When I and Sanju were batting, we wanted to go deep and if Klaasen can come when they have seven or eight overs left, I think that was a perfect opportunity for him. Unfortunately, we didn't cross the line but I don't think our strategy was wrong there. I think KG's batting position he batted well at number 6 or 7," Rahane offered.

On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders now will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second qualifier on Friday, May 25 at the same venue. Both teams will fight to play against Chennai Super Kings in final on May 27 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

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