NEWS
Follow UsRoyal Challengers Bangalore started well after being asked to bat first, posting a 111-run opening stand, but CSK bowlers did well to pull the game back and restricted RCB to 156. One of the prime factors for CSK’s success was Ravindra Jadeja who first did the choke job before Shardul Thakur put the brake on. RCB skipper Virat Kohli was understandably not happy about the side’s performance and stated that they let out 20 runs in the middle overs which changed the direction of the game.
“The wicket did slow down a bit. But I feel we left 15-20 runs out there. 175 would've been a winning total. This one is a bit more disappointing. The first one we just weren't in the game. Have to show more courage in crunch moments. This tournament goes by quickly,” Kohli said in the post-match interview with the host broadcasters.
Kohli had been criticized in the past for his slow starts, sucking the momentum in the powerplay, but Sharjah witnessed a different Kohli in action. The added 55 runs in the first six overs side aand Kohli put that down to a change in mindset.
“We spoke of areas we didn't want them to hit and we didn't do that. That little bit of X factor was missing in the first 5-6 overs. Got to get on that winning run again,” the RCB skipper added.
Kohli also credited the CSK bowlers for executing their plans well while ruing the fact that his bowlers couldn't show enough courage. “Didn't bowl consistently. Didn't show that much courage I guess with the ball. They bowled well in the back end of the innings, executed the slower balls and yorkers nicely. We spoke of areas we didn't want them to hit and we didn't do that,” Kohli added.
RCB will now take on Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.