After his team’s 8-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Steve Smith admitted that the top-order needs to bat longer to make an impact.
Against RCB, RR lost their star-studded top 3, comprising of Smith, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson, for just 31 runs. While Buttler scored 22 off 12 balls, Smith (5) and Samson (4) failed to cross the double-digit mark.
"We could have done a lot better. Didn't get enough runs on the board, it was a good wicket. We couldn't get a partnership together. Jofra bowled exceptionally, our leggies bowled well, but we didn't have enough on the board," said Smith during the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Our top 3 should be doing the job a lot more. The last two games it's cost us. We bat quite deep, but our top 3 need to bat longer and get ourselves into the innings," he added.
Later, RR posted 154/6 in 20 overs on the back of Mahipal Lomror’s 39-ball 47 and Rahul Tewatia’s unbeaten 12-ball 24.
"Lomror played nicely under pressure and to get 155, we didn't look like getting that many; he played a mature innings," said Smith.
"Just a few areas which we've to work on and we'll go back and look at those. It was very hot, you come back for a two and takes a bit longer to get your oxygen back," he added.
Royals will take on Mumbai Indians in their next match in Abu Dhabi on October 6.
