Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals (RR) are still technically in the playoff race, but with 14 points unlikely to be enough in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, bowling coach Shane Bond hopes the team can use their remaining five matches to build a strong foundation for next season, as per ESPNcricinfo.
“We’re probably out of the tournament, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to play for,” Bond said before their match against Gujarat Titans, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
“We want to make sure we finish the season strong and continue playing well,” he added.
“Also, for individuals, there’s a lot to play for. For next season, wanting to stay with the franchise, there’s always that up. For me it’s been really disappointing. I think we’re all competitive, we want to win and when you’ve got a bunch of people who have worked really hard like our guys have, I don’t expect them to just turn up and go through the motions,” he noted. The Royals are aiming to break a five-match losing streak, with three of those defeats coming in games where they were in control during chases — twice falling short despite needing just nine runs off the final over, and once needing only 18 off 12 balls with two set batters at the crease.
“The last three games, perhaps we should have chased and won. We’ve played pretty well over the last three games; we just haven’t won a couple of key moments. And so that’s why we’re sitting at the rear end of the table, where perhaps we could have sat somewhere more in the middle,” he adde.d “We’ve had some big overs, there’s no denying that. We’ve had some bowlers who have had some tough days, but that’s probably been the same for a number of bowlers and teams throughout the tournament. So when you say toothless, what do you mean? I think collectively the bowling unit, especially over the last three games, have done a pretty good job and kept the opposition to scores perhaps we should have chased down,” he said.
“I suppose the stuff that’s hardest is that for 35 overs of games we’ve played really well and in fact have been in control in some games and probably got into positions where we should have won. So you have to give credit to the opposition. They were good enough in those tight moments to go over the top of us and win those games. I suppose that’s what hurts,” he remarked. Following their seventh loss two nights ago, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming had pointed to auction strategy as the root of his team’s struggles. However, Bond feels that Rajasthan’s issues were not due to a poor auction but rather due to key moments that they failed to capitalise on. “I suppose that’s something you work through at the end of the season,” Bond said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo. (IANS)
Also Read: Pandya’s all-round show helps RCB to beat DC by six wickets
Also Watch: