IPL 2021: It’s a tough one to swallow, says KL Rahul after heart-breaking loss

Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul was disappointed after his team could not finish what seemed an easy win for them. Punjab needed only 10 runs from 15 balls to chase down 186 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on Tuesday against Rajasthan Royals but fell short by two runs.

Only four runs were needed in the final over but Punjab Kings could only score one run and lost two wickets. Kartik Tyagi bowled the super last over, which left Punjab Kings stunned.

Rahul admitted that his team is not learning from its mistakes as this is not the first time when they have lost a match from a winning position. Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram should have finished the game in the penultimate over as eight runs were required off the final two overs. However, Mustafizur Rahman and Kartik Tyagi were right on the money.

KL Rahul said in the post-match presentation, “It’s a tough one to swallow. We have been a team that has experienced games like these before. We need to see how we can handle pressure better. Trying to finish in the 18th over sometimes you go too hard and lose your way and let the opponents in. We haven’t learned from previous mistakes. We will now try to come back stronger and win the next five games. We pulled things back quite nicely with the ball, kept taking wickets, which is very crucial in this format. Getting runs for me, Mayank and even Aiden in his first IPL game were important”.

It was crucial for Punjab Kings to get off to a winning start in the second phase of the IPL as they are in the lower half of the points table but they let go of their opportunity. The KL Rahul-led team will now need to win almost every match in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Punjab had done well in the fag end of their bowling innings as they conceded only 21 runs in the final four overs and took six wickets. Subsequently, Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul added 120 runs for the opening stand but Punjab squashed their chances as they could not add the finishing touches.

Punjab will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at Sharjah on 25th September.