 "RCB vs RR: 'We've got to play for pride now,' says Parag after Royals suffer fifth consecutive loss")
Rajasthan Royals choked in a run chase for the third consecutive time in the Indian Premier League on Thursday, suffering a 11-run defeat in an away game against the Royals Challengers Bengaluru as a result. Chasing 206 to win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Royals were cruising at 188/5 with wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel batting on 47 off just 32 balls.
All it took, however, was one special over, the 19th to be more precise, from Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood to turn the game on its head and help the Royal Challengers end their winless run at home this season in their fourth attempt. The Royals, as a result, suffered their fifth defeat in a row, and are virtually out of the playoffs picture with seven defeats in nine games.
Speaking to the broadcasters after the game, Parag said the Royals had themselves to blame for failing to finish the job in chase despite finding themselves on the verge of pulling off a comfortable chase, which was the chase in their Super Over loss against Delhi Capitals as well as the two-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants at home.
“We did really well with the ball. I thought it was a 210-215 wicket, we held them back really well. Halfway through our innings we were in the driver’s seat. We’ve got ourselves to blame. Didn’t show enough intent against spinners.
“We’ve got to play for pride now. There are a lot of fans who support us. There are a lot of people who work really hard for us to come out here and play in a tournament like this. Have got to do it for them. Have to be very grateful and honoured to play this game and play for this franchise and we’ve got to show it next time we play,” Parag, who filled in for the injured Sanju Samson as captain, said.
Hazlewood and Krunal help RCB pull off a heist at Chinnaswamy
His RCB counterpart Rajat Patidar hailed the bowlers for the fight that they showed after the halfway stage of the run chase. Yashasvi Jaiswal had struck a fiery 49 off 19 deliveries to help RR race to 72/2 inside the powerplay, and the visitors were sitting pretty at 113/3 at the end of the 10th over, thanks to rapid starts by Parag (22) and Nitish (28).
Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (2/31) stemmed the flow of runs in the middle overs while getting rid of Parag as well as Nitish to help RCB mount pressure on the RR in the middle overs despite their solid start.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHazlewood, who had conceded 26 runs in the powerplay while denying Jaiswal a half-century, carried on from where Pandya left off and bowled two outstanding overs in the death to help the Royal Challengers pull off one of their most memorable wins at the Chinnaswamy.
BIG MOMENT!
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 24, 2025
What a review by #RCB as a well-set #DhruvJurel departed & opened the gates for #RCB's return in the game! 🙌🏻
First win at home for @RCBTweets in this season✅
Next up #IPLonJioStar 👉 #CSKvSRH | FRI, 25th APR, 6:30 PM | LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi… pic.twitter.com/zPzpt2dxYI
Hazlewood got Hetmyer caught-behind after cramping the West Indian for room in his third over before getting rid of Jurel and Jofra Archer in successive deliveries in a penultimate over in which he conceded just a single.
“That was a much-needed win. Today the wicket was different and all credit goes to the bowlers after the 10th over. The way they showed courage was tremendous. Initially they batted beautifully, credit goes to them as well. We were searching for wickets, when you get wickets only you can stop runs. I always back my instincts first but we have a team of great leaders and their inputs helps a lot,” Patidar said after guiding RCB to their sixth win this season in nine outings.
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