Published 07:10 IST, April 8th 2019
"Our shot selection wasn't good", says Moeen Ali on RCB's sixth straight loss of IPL 2019
Left frustrated after their sixth successive defeat, Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Moeen Ali on Sunday blamed the poor shot selection of the batsmen for their four-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in IPL in Bengaluru.
Left frustrated after their sixth successive defeat, Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Moeen Ali on Sunday blamed the poor shot selection of the batsmen for their four-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in IPL in Bengaluru.
RCB Skipper Virat Kohli was the top-scorer with a 33-ball 41 as RCB could manage 149 for eight against Delhi Capitals after being asked to take first strike here.
"I think they (Delhi Capitals) bowled well. Our shots selection wasn't good," he told reporters in the post-match press conference here.
"Obviously we needed a good partnership. I think, we started off well, but could not capitalise on it. Also we gave away wickets at the end and probably it wasn't smart enough," he said.
The hosts were also sloppy on the field as Delhi Capitals returned to score 152 for 6 in 18.5 overs. The English off-spinner said his team is repeating the same mistakes of dropping catches and giving away wickets.
"Obviously it is very frustrating as players. We are training hard. We are doing right things in the training, but not delivering on the field. We are making same mistakes - dropping catches and giving away wickets."
Ali further said it was harder for batsmen to score in the first six overs.
"It was definitely harder for the first six overs when we batted. The wicket generally here is quite good. The wicket did get easier later, but it was a good wicket," he said.
After this loss, it will take a herculean task for RCB to win all the remaining eight matches to qualify for the knockout stage.
"You can't afford to do that in IPL. We got to improve and we have to win remaining games. We know that," he said.
On Sunday, South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada (4/21) accounted for four RCB batsmen to lead Delhi's bowling attack, which also comprised Chris Morris (2/28), Axar Patel (1/22) and Sandeep Lamichhane (1/46).
Updated 07:20 IST, April 8th 2019