IPL 2018 | It was a perfect night for us where we played as a team, says Ajinkya Rahane

05/20/2018

Ajinkya Rahane stated that the win against Royal Challengers Bangalore constituted a perfect night for them, where the team showed unity and played good cricket together. Rajasthan Royals defeated RCB by 30 runs in the virtual knockout match to stay in contention for qualification to the playoffs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have a habit of choking in the decisive moments and same was the case on Saturday in Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where they couldn’t execute their plans against Rajasthan Royals. RR played some good cricket and registered a convincing 30-run win over RCB in the virtual knock-out match.

Batting first, RR posted a total of 164 on the board, courtesy of a well-paced innings of Rahul Tripathi, who scored unbeaten 80 runs to help his team reach a respectable total. Umesh Yadav, who picked up 3 wickets for 25 runs, was the pick of the bowlers for RCB. In reply, RCB got off to flying start but couldn’t find their way to the win. None of the batsmen except AB de Villiers, who scored 53 off 35 balls, looked to stay on the wicket and eventually the team lost the match by 30 runs. Shreyas Gopal did the trick for RR with the ball as he picked up 4 wickets for just 16 runs.

Ajinkya Rahane called his side’s win against Royal Challengers Bangalore a ‘perfect’ win and praised opening batsman Rahul Tripathi and leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal for playing key roles in the win.

"I am happy and every captain and team management wants that in difficult situations team members should stand up and perform. It was a perfect night for us where we played as a team," Rahane said after the match as quoted by Cricket Next.

"We know Rahul is a quality player and we back him. We know he can play under pressure. He did not play well in his last few innings but he has tremendous talent. I think he will go up from here. His innings and also the little cameo from Heinrich Klaasen (32 off 21 balls) in middle overs where it is difficult to bat were magnificent efforts."

Talking about Gopal, Rahane said, "He really bowled well. He was bowling with good momentum. With both the right-handers at the crease we knew with his slow wrist spin there were chances of him picking wickets."

Rahane insisted that qualifying for the playoffs was not in their hands and depends on the results of the other matches. He stated that they have done their bit and now would wait to see the results.

"We have done what we could and cannot control things which are not in our hands. We would wait and watch because it is in God's hands whether we qualify for the play-offs or not."

Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes ended their campaign with RR and left for England to prepare for the Test series against Pakistan. Rahane seemed impressed by the way team stayed together and played as a unit in the absence of their key players.

"We all are positive and happy with the way things have gone. We were without Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes but it is important to play as a unit. It is not that one or two guys win matches for any team but you need to play as a unit. We have to stay positive and do whatever we can visualize for the play-offs."

Rahane wasn’t too worried about his personal form and stated that he played for the team and it’s the results, in the end, that matter.

"I have not been among runs in last 4-5 games but I am confident at the moment. When you switch your position from coming at top down to three or four it is important to read the situation and what the team wants from you. It is all about giving your best rather than thinking about your own performance. It ultimately is the result which matters in the end," said Rahane who hit 33 off 31 balls.

On the other hand, RCB pacer Umesh Yadav felt that the pitch was slow. He pointed out that after a good start, losing 3-4 wickets on the trot hurt them badly.

"It was rather slow and we were off to a good score and had compiled 55 runs in six overs but we lost 3-4 quick wickets which hurt us. There were no partnerships. They (RCB batsmen) have attacking style and despite the wicket being slow they continued with it. Sometimes it comes off some time it does not," he said.

Talking about captain Virat Kohli not being consistent in the tournament, Umesh conceded that his early departure put a lot of pressure on the team.

"He (Kohli) is a great player but unfortunately he has not been among runs. When we lose a player of his stature early it puts a lot of pressure on rest of the batting," said Yadav who took 3/35 during Rajasthan Royals innings.

IPL 2018 | It was a perfect night for us where we played as a team, says Ajinkya Rahane

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