Punjab Kings head coach Anil Kumble has expressed disappointment after their defeat against Rajasthan Royals and admitted that losing close games has become a “pattern” for the side.
“It’s sort of become a bit of a pattern for us, especially as soon as we get to Dubai, it seems. There was a clear message saying we need to finish this game in 19 overs, and that was the approach,” Kumble said at the post-match press conference.
Punjab needed four runs in the last over when RR pacer Kartik Tyagi unveiled his talent and defended the score to anchor his side to a 2-run win in Dubai.
The former India player lavished praise on Tyagi and lauded the right-arm bowler for the way he bowled the final over.
“But credit to how Tyagi bowled the last over, it was pretty obvious that he’s going to bowl wide outside the off stump, but somehow our batters didn’t take the right options,” Kumble said.
Batting first, RR were cruising to a big total at one stage but some fine bowling from Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami in the death overs pulled things back for Punjab and the Royals were bundled out for 185 in 20 overs.
Arshdeep bagged a five-wicket haul while Shami scalped three wickets during the course. Later, Punjab began the proceedings in a steady manner after captain KL Rahul and opener Mayank Agarwal put 120 runs on the board for the first wicket.
While Rahul missed out on a fifty by just one run, Mayank went on to notch up 67 off 43 deliveries. Later, Nicholas Pooran and debutant Aiden Markram held the fort but lost their way needing just 10 runs from the last 15 balls. They failed to put away full tosses from Chris Morris in the 18th over and then ended up playing Mustafizur Rahman gingerly. Needing just 4 off the final over Punjab were restricted to 183/4.
The Royals now have four wins and as many defeats in the eight matches that they have played while Punjab Kings have lost their sixth game in nine matches.