Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said that his team was indeed “befuddled” by the nature of the pitch during its 8-wicket defeat to RCB in IPL’s first qualifier, but he backed his team to do well in the upcoming game.
“We have lost the battle, but not the war,” Shreyas Iyer said at the post-match presentation ceremony after RCB beat them and then reached the final after reaching target in just 10 overs as well. “I am not doubting my decisions to be honest. We got to work on our batting especially on this (kind of) wicket. In all the games, we have played here, there has been some variable bounce.”
He also didn’t want to give any excuses for this shocking defeat.
ALSO READ: “He is the most successful Indian Test captain” – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli
“We can’t give such reasons because we are professionals at the end of the day and we have to bat according to the situation and we have to live up to it.” With just 48 hours left before Shreyas and his men return to action at the Motera, the skipper will be keen to return to the drawing board and address the team’s batting concerns. Not a day to forget, but got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets (in the first innings.) There’s a lot to go back and study on,” he added.
“Whatever we did in terms of planning, outside of the ground whatever (planning) we did, I think it was on point. Just that we couldn’t execute it on the field. Can’t even blame the bowlers, as it was a low total to defend,” the captain again added.
Meanwhile, RCB captain Rajat Patidar showed his happiness after leading the team to the fourth IPL final as well.
ALSO READ: “I did get a couple of hints” – AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement
“Suyash chipped in well. He bowls in line of the stumps, which is his strength. I don’t give him a lot of ideas, don’t want to confuse him,” Patidar. “The way he is batting in every match, the way he is giving us starts, it is a treat. I am a big fan of him.” The skipper assured the RCB fans that there’s just one match left before the party would begin.
“Always thank RCB fans, wherever we go, we feel like it is our home ground. One more game, let’s celebrate together.” Player of the match Suyash Sharma also corroborated his skipper’s viewpoint about keeping things simple. I have performed, that is why people must be happy! My role is to hit the stumps – be it with the googly or leg-spin or flipper. Googly is my stock ball, there was a little help from the surface as well. We will celebrate on the 3rd [June],” he concluded.
