• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Not Going To Coach Gives Brutal Reality Check To Sanju Samsons Rr Amid Ipl Struggles

"Not Going To": Coach Gives Brutal Reality Check To Sanju Samson's RR Amid IPL Struggles

Sakshi Sharma

Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 (Source:@BCCI, x.,com)Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025 (Source:@BCCI, x.,com)

With just two wins from nine games and a place in the bottom tier of the IPL 2025 standings, Rajasthan Royals’ playoff dreams are hanging by the thinnest of mathematical threads. However, the team's bowling coach Shane Bond has delivered a dose of reality, admitting that as far as qualification is concerned, the Royals' campaign is all but over.

Coach Admits Season Is Virtually Over For RR

Speaking ahead of RR’s upcoming must-win clash against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Bond did not mince words about the team's dismal run in IPL 2025.

“The hardest thing is that, for 35 overs of games we’ve played really well and in fact have been in control in some games and probably got into positions where we should have won. You have to give credit to the opposition; they were good enough in those tight moments to go over the top of us and win those games," Bond said on Sunday.

The Royals have endured painful five-match losing streak, with the last three defeats coming in tight contests. Despite showing promise in phases RR have struggled to maintain control through the full 40 overs. Bond emphasised the frustration of letting strong positions slip away in crucial moments.

“I suppose that’s what hurts us. We’re 2 (wins) and 7 (losses), and go, jeez, where we could sit on the table, but there’s nothing we can do about that now. We’re probably out of the tournament in terms of the points table, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to play for. Obviously, as a team, we want to make sure we finish the season strong and continue playing well, but also for individuals there’s a lot to play for, for the next season, wanting to stay with the franchise," he added.

At the end of the day, the first fight was to get to the playoffs. We’re not going to get to the playoffs now. So I think you have to identify that and be honest with that… We haven’t been good enough so far, but that doesn’t mean we’re not determined to get out there and get stuck over the next four or five games. That’ll never change," he added.

Can RR Still Qualify For IPL 2025 Playoffs?

From being a playoff contender last season, where they won 8 of their 13 league games RR have dramatically slumped in form this year, managing just two wins and sitting 9th on the points table. 

With the team having lost both their home matches in Jaipur so far, the stakes could not be higher ahead of Monday’s clash with the Gujarat Titans. A defeat there would formally eliminate them from playoff contention. 

The Royals will look to salvage pride, build momentum, and offer fans something to cheer about in the final phase of the tournament. But as things stand, their dreams of lifting the trophy appears to be over.