In a season crammed with excessive hopes and important challenges, Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid has brazenly expressed his disappointment following the group’s latest defeat to Punjab Kings. This loss marks RR’s tenth within the IPL 2025 season, positioning them ninth on the factors desk. Dravid highlighted points throughout all departments, emphasising that the group’s efficiency has not met expectations. Despite a promising begin to the season, together with a standout century by younger expertise Vaibhav Suryavanshi, RR has struggled to take care of consistency, notably in dying bowling and middle-order batting.
After RR’s 8-wicket loss to Punjab Kings, Dravid acknowledged the group’s shortcomings, stating, “There’s no point just blaming the batsman. I think with the ball also, to be honest, I didn’t think it was a 220 wicket, it was about a 195, 200 wicket, and we gave 20 runs extra.”
“If we look at the numbers, we have probably not been good enough with the ball. Both at taking wickets and controlling runs. We are chasing 200-220 every game,” he added.
He identified that conceding additional runs has been a recurring subject, making it difficult for the batting unit to chase down excessive totals. Dravid additionally famous that the group has typically discovered itself in good positions however didn’t capitalise, notably within the lower-middle order, the place huge pictures have been missing.
“It’s been a tough one. We’ve got close, but we haven’t been able to finish the job. It’s been one of those kind of seasons where you always feel with the ball that we probably give 15-20 runs extra and then you’ve got yourself in some really good positions to win the games, but we haven’t been able to finish the job and a little bit around that lower, lower-middle order we just haven’t been able to click and get the big shots that we need,” admitted Dravid.
RR’s death bowling has been a significant concern throughout the season. In matches against Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, the team conceded over 70 runs in the final five overs, highlighting the need for better execution in the closing stages of the game. Dravid emphasised that while the plans have been sound, the execution has fallen short, leading to unfavorable outcomes.
The team’s performance has drawn criticism from cricketing greats, including Sunil Gavaskar, who expressed his confusion over RR’s lack of strategic play, especially under Dravid’s guidance. Gavaskar remarked, “With somebody like Rahul Dravid because the coach, it was fairly baffling, it was unthinking cricket.” He questioned the team’s decision-making and approach during crucial moments, suggesting a deeper flaw in their strategy.
Despite the team’s struggles, young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been a bright spot. The 14-year-old made headlines with a 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans, showcasing his immense potential. However, he also faced setbacks, including a two-ball duck against Mumbai Indians, underscoring the highs and lows of professional cricket. Dravid has urged for realistic expectations regarding Suryavanshi’s performance, emphasizing the importance of supporting young talent through both successes and challenges.
“I imply, it has been 5 video games now the place the margins have actually one or two hits which you want in that part, which we simply have not been in a position to do,” stated Dravid after the sport. “So it’s not that we’ve been losing too many wickets, we’re still only five down today, but we just haven’t been able to hit those shots.”
As RR prepares for his or her last match of the season towards Chennai Super Kings, the main target shifts to salvaging pleasure and avoiding the underside spot on the desk. Dravid’s management and expertise will likely be essential in guiding the group by way of this difficult interval. The season’s outcomes spotlight the necessity for introspection and strategic changes to construct a extra resilient and constant group in future campaigns.
Topics talked about on this article
