Virat Kohli was a disappointed captain after Royal Challengers Bangalore let slip a good opportunity to stay alive in the Indian Premier League with a heart-wrenching 5-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday (May 7).
RCB couldn’t able to chase down the subpar target of 147 against table-toppers' bowling attack with Shakib Al Hasan claiming 2 for 36 in his 4 overs.
"That's how this game goes. Not good enough, not up to the mark. We deserve to lose this game. Didn't show enough application. The kind of shots we played were not on at that stage. Mandeep, de Grandhomme showed there was a chance if you got stuck in. This has been the story of our season. 10-15 lesser would've been ideal, should have done better with the ball, we were up to the mark on the field. If you have strong characters, you will always do well," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
After being into put, SRH were tottering at 48/3 after 8.2 overs but Kane Williamson once again stamped his class on a tough pitch. The SRH skipper forged a 64-run stand for the fourth wicket with Shakib Al Hasan to bring his team out of the deep hole.
Williamson was eventually dismissed by Umesh Yadav for a glorious 39-ball 56 (5 fours and 2 sixes). Following the wicket of Williamson, Shakib cut loose and hit a couple of boundaries before Southee got rid of him on 35. Yusuf Pathan’s cameo (12 runs off 7 balls) at the fag end of the innings propelled SRH to 146 in 20 overs.
While defending the target, SRH spinners once again came to the party as they dealt blows at regular intervals with Shakib Al Hasan (2/36) and Rashid Khan (1/31) kept the scoring under check. Sandeep Sharma was also economical in his four overs as he finished with 1/20.
Kohli was in all praise of the SRH players, who hold their nerves under pressure.
"SRH had a few guys who did well under pressure, that's been the story of their season. They understand strengths, know their limitations. That's why they've been successful. From the bowling point of view, SRH is the strongest. Overall, maybe you'd pick Kings XI or CSK," Kohli concluded.
