Rajasthan Royals lead assistant coach Vikram Rathour admitted Mitchell Starc’s game-changing 15th over proved decisive in RR’s five-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals, saying the visitors finished at least 20 runs short after losing momentum dramatically at the death.
DC vs RR: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
RR were cruising at 160/2 after 14 overs before Starc ripped through the middle order, taking three wickets in a single over and triggering a collapse that restricted Rajasthan to 193/8. Delhi Capitals chased the target down with four balls remaining.
“We were at least 20 runs short, if not more. We were 160 in 14 overs with only two wickets down. From there, we should have got 220. Losing three wickets in one over doesn’t help. We could have been smarter with the decisions we took in that over,” Rathour said after the match.
“That over definitely changed the result for us. Obviously, he’s a world-class bowler, but the kind of options we took in that over were poor. We could have done differently and given ourselves more time to get through that phase and take the game deeper.”
The defeat has left RR under pressure in the playoff race yet again, with their familiar second-half slump resurfacing. Along with the batting collapse, Rajasthan were also questioned over several tactical calls during the chase.
The decision to bring in batting all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as the Impact Player raised eyebrows as it meant RR could not introduce an additional frontline bowler later in the innings. With Ravindra Jadeja unavailable because of a knee niggle, the move further weakened an already struggling bowling attack.
Shanaka made only 10 with the bat but bowled three tidy overs and dismissed KL Rahul. Still, RR were left short on specialist options at the death and turned to part-time off-spinner Donovan Ferreira in the 18th over with Axar Patel and David Miller at the crease. The over went for 16 runs and swung the match firmly in DC’s favour.
Explaining the decision-making, Rathour said RR were forced into using Shanaka after the late batting collapse.
“Our initial idea was to go with six bowlers. But because we lost wickets too quickly, we had to pick Dasun as the impact player. Otherwise, we had the option of bringing in a specialist bowler in the second innings,” Rathour said.
“The decisions on the field are taken by the captain. Plans are discussed with analysts and coaches beforehand, but at that stage it is the captain who takes the call.”
Rathour also confirmed that Riyan Parag’s hamstring niggle influenced the captain’s decision not to bowl. Parag had missed the previous game against Gujarat Titans because of the same issue and required treatment during his half-century knock on Sunday.
“He is struggling again. Riyan is dealing with a hamstring niggle, so I am not sure how comfortable he was bowling. It was an option, but the call didn’t go our way,” Rathour said.
On Jadeja’s absence, Rathour said the team management was being cautious with the all-rounder.
“He has a niggle in his knee. The management felt giving him another game’s break would help.”
Before the collapse, teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again impressed with a rapid 46 off 21 balls. Though he fell to a slower delivery from Madhav Tiwari, Rathour dismissed suggestions that pace-off bowling exposed a weakness in the youngster’s game.
“I don’t think slower balls are a weakness for Vaibhav. On wickets like this, where the ball grips a bit, change of pace works against anybody,” Rathour said.
“He’s a special player and has already shown his ability. I just hope he converts one of these starts into a big innings soon.”
Rathour also defended the different batting styles within RR’s young group and pointed to Virat Kohli as proof that players do not need to rely entirely on power-hitting to succeed in T20 cricket.
“Dhruv doesn’t need to bat like Vaibhav and Vaibhav shouldn’t try to bat like Dhruv. They have different strengths. If players trust their strengths, they can succeed,” he said.
“Virat is still extremely successful in this format and he’s not an out-and-out power hitter. That shows there is room for different kinds of players if they back their game.”
Despite the loss leaving RR sixth on the table and facing an uphill battle for a playoff spot, Rathour insisted belief within the dressing room remained intact.
“We have to win both our remaining matches and that is the mindset. If we play to our potential, we believe we can beat any side,” he said.
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