RCB captain comments on loss vs SRH: RCB captain pinpoints reasons behind heavy loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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During the 11th match of the ongoing 12th season of the Indian Premier League between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Hyderabad, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 118 runs to register their second IPL 2019 victory.
After Bangalore captain Virat Kohli won the toss and put the hosts in to bat, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a formidable 231-2 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. SRH’s opening pair in Jonny Bairstow (114) and David Warner (100*) and scored a century each to propel Hyderabad to a match-winning total.
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RCB’s ploy of sending their third opening pair in as many matches didn’t work for them as they ended up losing wickets at regular intervals. In a monumental chase, RCB looked out-of-sorts especially after being reduced to 35/6 in the eighth over.
Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Kohli claimed the loss to be Bangalore’s “worst ever”. Short of words to explain the loss, Kohi admitted being outplayed in the tournament. “One of our worst losses ever. Literally nothing I can explain.
“Nothing went right for us from ball one until our last wicket fell in the second innings. We were outplayed in all departments by a quality side. They showed that they are a champion side – they were finalists last time and beat us in the final [in 2016],” Kohli was quoted as saying.
“Credit to Warner and Bairstow”
Kohli also lamented with respect to not trying enough against Bairstow and Warner as the duo ended up stitching highest-ever opening stand (185) in the IPL. The RCB captain also spoke highly about the pair scoring runs at will.
“Credit to them [Warner and Bairstow]. We could have tried a few different things, like pace off the ball. But once those guys got in, they just kept going – you need a few things to go your way, and a few catches fell in between fielders. They were world-class today and they deserve to be on the winning side,” Kohli said,
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Being asked about Royal Challengers making frequent changes to their batting order, Kohli disclosed that him batting at No. 3 provides better balance to the team. However, he also expected his players to put up a better challenge in the imminent matches.
“We thought about that initially as well – I have done well opening the batting but myself at 3 brings that balance in the side, given that I can bat with AB and put the opposition under pressure. We just need our players to put up a better challenge up front,” Kohli added.
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