Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Simon Katich has admitted that Mumbai Indians (MI) “outplayed” RCB on Wednesday (October 28) while crediting Suryakumar Yadav for his team’s 5-wicket loss to the defending champions in Abu Dhabi.
In the 48th game of the IPL 2020, Suryakumar yet again played a magnificent knock of 79* off 43 balls to help MI overhaul the modest target of 166 at the expense of 5 wickets with 5 balls to spare in Abu Dhabi. With the thrilling win, MI became the first team this season to qualify for the IPL 13 playoffs.
Following the defeat, Katich also admitted that “164 was not enough and Mumbai deserve the result” but was confident that RCB “will bounce back positively” as they are eying to make it to the top four.
The head coach has further noted the performances of their openers as big positive takeaways for his side from the defeat in Abu Dhabi as RCB dropped their regular opener Aaron Finch and replaced him with compatriot Josh Philippe (33) who added 71 runs in 7.5 overs with Devdutt Padikkal against MI.
Pointing out Surya as a difference in the game, the Australian coach said RCB’s failure to take some early wickets costs them the crucial match against Mumbai on Wednesday.
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Katich said in the post-match press conference, “Mumbai outplayed us when it mattered the most. We did a lot of things well today. The big positive was the two youngsters at the top, (Devdutt) Padikkal and (Josh) Phillipe, got us off to a great start, and at one stage it looked like we are going to get well on top with the bat, but young Josh got stumped, and then it slowed down after that a little bit with the wicket.”
He added, “We looked like we were well set with five overs to go, and unfortunately lost four wickets in about 13 balls, so from a batting point of view, we felt we were on track to get around 180, which could have been a competitive score, but in the end, 164 wasn't enough and Mumbai deserve the result… Disappointing result. But I am sure we will bounce back positively.”
On RCB’s bowling, Katich said: “And same with the ball, we did a lot of things well to get them into a position where they needed 100 off 60 balls, three down, but we didn't grab our chances. After the third wicket fell, we let some runs in the next couple of overs and Mumbai got back into the game. It was a disappointing result but we will bounce back in Sharjah.”
Hailing Suryakumar, RCB head coach said: “He (Suryakumar Yadav) is a very good player, he has had a good tournament and today he was the difference, getting that score and scoring as quickly as he did. He put (Yuzvedra) Chahal under pressure, with some good boundaries and sixes.”
Katich signed off by saying, “There was a period there (when they) were 70/3 and we looked like we were getting on top but then Surya played a magnificent inning and got the momentum back in their favor pretty quickly after they lost that third wicket and then it was difficult for us to get back into the game.”
(With PTI Inputs)
