Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara feels that his team has the potential to bounce back after losing two successive games in IPL 2021 as they need to stitch a string of consistent performances.
After finishing IPL 2020 at the bottom of points table, RR started IPL 14 on losing note as they were defeated by Punjab Kings (PBKS) by just 4 runs in a thriller.
The Sanju Samson-led side then bounced back and defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by three wickets to register their first win of the season but slumped to two successive losses after that and are placed last on the points table.
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Ahead of RR’s fifth match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Kumar Sangakkara admitted that they’ve had tough start to the tournament. He added that they are taking positives from the last two defeats which have been hard for them and they have the ability to turn this around.
“We know we've had a tough start to the competition, but we could be in a completely different position had we won the opening encounter.
“The last two defeats have been a little hard to take, but we take the positives and keep the faith in ourselves. It's a long tournament and we certainly have the ability and the chance to turn this around tomorrow,” Kumar Sangakkara said.
Sangakkara said that it’s important for them as a group to make sure that they’ve learned their lessons and they just need to start the games well with both and ball.
"What is more important for us is to make sure we've learned our lessons, and can focus on the basics. In my opinion, we just need to start the games well, whether it is with the ball or the bat, we need to make sure we're stamping our authority in the middle," he said.
Sangakkara said that KKR, who lost three successive matches, would be keen to bounce back like them and it would be a tough challenge.
"We know KKR is a strong team, and they've got a good balance. Just like us, I am sure they are also eager to bounce back, so it will be a tough challenge, and we will need to make sure we are executing all three facets of our game well in order to win," said Kumar Sangakkara.
Kumar Sangakkara further said that they know that KKR handed them two losses last season but they believe these are the kind of matches they need to win to enter playoffs.
"We have had the chance to sit together and make plans for the match tomorrow. We know KKR handed us two losses last season, and I believe these are the kind of matches we need to win if we want to make it to the playoffs," he concluded.
(ANI inputs)
