IPL 2021: Simon Katich Expects RCB To Bounce Back Soon Against KKR
Updated - 01 May 2021, 01:48 PM
Former Australian batsman and RCB head coach Simon Katich revealed that his team was outplayed against Punjab Kings and will come out strong against KKR in their next game. RCB suffered a hurting loss to the Punjab Kings in their previous encounter by 34 runs and they did not gain any momentum in a chase of 180 runs. KL Rahul batted brilliantly with 91 not out to take Punjab to a respectable total of 179.
Kohli, Maxwell, and Devilliers fell in very quick succession and it meant that the run chase went nowhere. Harshal Patel and Kyle Jamieson brought the margin of defeat a little close or it would have looked far more worse for the RCB. They have lots to ponder about and their team selection has been questioned a lot too. They haven’t looked the best in their last three games and are the only team with a negative run rate in the top four teams in the table.
Simon Katich Reckons Punjab Played The Conditions Better
Simon Katich opined that Punjab played the conditions better and admitted, RCB were outclassed by Punjab. He added that RCB did assess the conditions well with the bat but quick wickets in middle overs did not help them. He lauded KL Rahul for taking the team to an above par score and also, he expects the RCB franchise to give a better comeback in the next game.
“Obviously our Net Run Rate took a hit today. We just got outclassed today by Punjab. They played the conditions better. Certainly, we assessed the conditions well with the bat but lost our way in the middle – probably left it too late. They deserve to win today and they were very good,” Katich said in the post-match press conference.
“KL Rahul was outstanding at the top of the order, marshaling them to the 180–run mark which in the end turned out to be well over par on that wicket, given it was the second time it was used. Disappointing day for us but one thing this group is good at is bouncing back, so expect a good showing from us when we play KKR in a couple of days’ time,” he added
“They Certainly Bowled Much Better Lengths”- Simon Katich
Simon Katich admitted that the Punjab franchise was spot on with their lengths and the wicket did get slower as the day progressed. He accepted the fact that RCB bowlers did not hit the right lengths and lauded Chahal for staging a good comeback despite getting slaughtered by Chris Gayle. He concluded that 180 was a tough score to chase on that wicket.
“I don’t think spots are under the scanner. They certainly bowled much better lengths than we did and the wicket got slower and slower as the night went on. They assessed it well and bowled good lengths – we were off our lengths a little bit.” Katich said
Yuzi fought back really well after that first over versus Gayle – it’s never easy to catch up as a spinner when you’ve been hit in your first over. I thought Shahbaz Ahmed bowled well and we clawed back things very well, but yeah 180 was too much on that wicket.” Katich added
Harpreet Brar bagged the man of the match award for his outstanding bowling spell and his finishing abilities at the end. RCB lost just their 2nd match of IPL 2021 against Punjab Kings in the 7 games he played so far.
Tagged:
KL Rahul Simon Katich Yuzvendra Chahal
