Rajasthan Royals suffered a batting collapse despite getting a brisk start against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dubai on Wednesday night. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Evin Lewis were on a roll and dominated the RCB bowling attack putting up 77 on the board for the first wicket. However, against an incredible by the RCB bowlers, none of the other batters got into the groove and the Royals were eventually restricted to 149/9 in 20 overs.
Expressing his disappointment on the way the batting unit has fared, RR's director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara pointed out that the side was struggling in the Power Plays during the first leg while it has been a vice versa scenario during the second phase.
"In the first-half of the tournament in India we were struggling in the power plays and the middle and late-middle order was getting us back into the games. In the second phase we've gone the opposite way," said Sangakkara during the post-match conference.
"We're winning the power plays quite comfortably, except in the Delhi game, in the sense we're getting the runs that we need. And then we're not really understanding how to manage the middle and the death. When we get the platform like we did today, 100 runs for 1 after 11 overs, how to kick on from there, get to 180-185 we need to figure,” he added.
RCB later rode on some fine batting from the top and middle-order to chase down the target by 7 wickets and in the 18th over. While captain Virat Kohli and opener Devdutt Padikkal provided them with a decent start, a partnership of 69 runs for the third wicket between Striker Bharat and Glenn Maxwell anchored the side to an easy win.
Bharat struck 44 off 35 while Maxwell remained unbeaten at 50 off 30 during the course.