After his team’s 34-run defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings (PBKS), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli on Friday (April 30) admitted that they gave away 25 runs too much to allow the KL Rahul-led side to get over the par score.
Invited to bat first, PBKS posted 179/5 in 20 overs on the back of skipper Rahul’s unbeaten 91 off 57 balls and Chris Gayle’s 24-ball 46.
Later, Harpreet Brar (3-19) and Ravi Bishnoi (2-17) spun a web around the RCB batsmen to restrict them to 145/8.
"They got off to a decent start and we pulled things back decently. Probably gave away 25 too much at the end, should have been chasing 160. Had a chat around executing our plans, which we did, but at the end we strayed away," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
It was a listless batting performance from RCB as none of them in the line-up managed to touch the 40-run mark. Kohli was the top-scorer with 34-ball 35.
"With the bat, we never got the momentum, they bowled well, to be honest. Just kept the pressure going. But as batsmen as well we could have tried more things at the start. It was tough to hit through the line," the RCB captain said.
"It was about making a partnership and making sure you're there to keep getting the boundaries, bat at a strike rate of at least 110. We didn't manage to do that," he added.
Harpreet took three key wickets for Punjab as he removed Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell (0), and AB de Villiers (3) after playing an unbeaten cameo of 17-ball 25.
"We understand the areas where we lost momentum. The composition of our team is such that someone like Rajat, if you see the last game, controlled the game for us. We give him that freedom and sometimes it doesn't work out," said Kohli.
"Maxi and AB at 4 and 5 have worked well for us, when there's a partnership early, one of them will come off. Didn't work today but Rajat's a quality player. A bit of a positive at the end, pulled things back nicely. Harshal and Jamo struck a few at the end. A loss off 60-65 would've hurt more," he further remarked.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their next clash on Monday (May 3).
(With ANI inputs)
