Rajasthan Royals lost their first game after moving out of Sharjah.
Wednesday, 30 September saw the Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 37 runs. This ensured that all teams in IPL 2020 have lost at least one game in the tournament. RR, being the last team to lose a game, played their first match outside Sharjah this season.
In Dubai, their batsmen still played with the intention and skill set suitable to the batting conditions in Sharjah. RR skipper Steve Smith admitted the fact and also said that things didn't go according to their plan, but it is something that happens in T20 cricket.
Smith said in the post-match presentation, "Didn't quite go as per the plan, but that happens in T20 cricket sometimes. I think it could go one way or another [the decision at the toss]. We lost too many wickets upfront, a few of us probably thought we're still playing at Sharjah!"
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The 31-year-old also mentioned that they didn't adapt to the different dimensions of the ground and fell prey to the bigger boundaries in Dubai. He also brushed off his battle with his countryman and pacer Pat Cummins. Smith played just 4 balls against him for 2 runs and got out.
"We probably didn't adapt as well as we could have to the wicket and the dimensions. We'll wait and see about switching the XI around. [Cummins] Wasn't much of a battle! Just spoke to him and he said you normally smack those in the nets," Smith added.
The Rajasthan Royals never got going in their chase of 175 against the Knight Riders and started with some early wickets. Eventually, they were dragged to 137/9 with the help of Tom Curran's timely half-century.
(With inputs from ANI)