It Did Get Very Very Easy To Bat On: KL Rahul Addresses The Problem Of Dew In The Second Innings

Rajasthan Royals broke the KL Rahul led-Kings XI Punjab’s five-match winning streak as they gunned down 186 in Abu Dhabi. All-rounder Ben Stokes set up the Royals’ victory via his power-hitting in the powerplay as he struck a century off 24 deliveries. KL Rahul underlined that the dew factor made it harder and harder for the bowlers in the second innings.

Steve Smith put Kings XI Punjab in to bat first after winning the toss and remained slightly skeptical about the dew factor. Chris Gayle’s 99 off 63 balls was the highlight of Kings XI Punjab’s innings while there were contributions from the likes of KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran. Gayle was unfortunate to perish in the last over as Jofra Archer delivered a perfect yorker on the leg stump.

Rajasthan Royals made a perfect start to their chase as Ben Stokes went hammer and tongs in the first six hours. It was in the sixth over that Stokes perished for a well-made 50 off 26 deliveries. The duo of Sanju Samson and Robin Uthappa motored along quite well along with the required run rate. Samson lost his wicket in a timely manner; however, Steve Smith and Jos Buttler took them with seven wickets and 15 balls to spare.

“No surprise that it has come down to the last game” : KL Rahul

KL Rahul, who scored 46 off 41 deliveries lamented that it was a horrible toss to lose as the dew made it challenging for the spinners to bowl. The 28-year old felt that it was a good total; however, they have to learn to bowl better with the wet ball and that dew has been unpredictable. KL Rahul concluded that they have to work had at every point and not surprised that their chances have come down to the final game.

“It was a horrible toss to lose with the amount of dew later on. It did get very very easy to bat on. The wristspinners want the ball to be dry and get some grip off the surface but with the dew it got really difficult. On a sticky wicket, as it was when we batted, this was not a bad total. We didn’t bowl badly, but we need to learn to bowl better with the wet ball. The dew has been unpredictable. We spoke to the groundsman, and he said there was no dew last game. You can’t prepare for it, but you have to be able to adapt to that. It has been the kind of season where nothing has come easy. We have had to work hard for every point. No surprise that it has come down to the last game,” Rahul said in the post-match presentation.

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