By CricketCountry Staff
Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Johan Botha is disappointed that his team didn’t make it to the playoffs after Deccan Chargers (DC) thrashed them by five wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Hyderabad on Friday.
Published: May 19, 2012, 02:06 PM (IST)
Edited: May 19, 2012, 02:06 PM (IST)
Deccan Chargers beat Rajasthan Royals by five wickets on Friday night © PTI
By CricketCountry Staff
Hyderabad: May 19, 2012
Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Johan Botha is disappointed that his team lost a chance of sealing their playoffs’ berth after Deccan Chargers (DC) thrashed them by five wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Hyderabad on Friday.
“It’s obviously disappointing. We came with high hopes, the guys prepared well, but sometimes it just doesn’t go for you on the day. Unfortunately, that does it for us for IPL 5.”
“I think they bowled pretty well. In the first six overs, we didn’t find the gaps, which happens. Our top order – Rahul (Dravid), Watto (Shane Watson) and Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) – have played brilliantly throughout the tournament. It was just one of those days where they hit a few shots but couldn’t find the gaps,” said the South African.
Botha feels the positives of this season has been Rajasthan’s opening partnerships and Dravid and Rahane’s performances at the top.
“I think, just top of my head, our opening partnerships have been brilliant. Rahul and Jinks have given us great starts all the way through. Our bowling unit – we still haven’t lost a game when we got more than 160. That’s credit to the guys. I still think that we’ve got the best team spirit in the tournament and that’s what takes us through tight games. Unfortunately, tonight was just not our game.”
Botha had a good season with the ball, however, he didn’t work out so well with the bat.
“I think batting-wise, it’s always about the chances you get. A few balls at the end of the innings, is not a fair reflection on averages and strike-rates. But bowling-wise, I’ve been pretty happy with the last seven or eight matches. The first two or three [matches] probably didn’t start the way I wanted to, but I’ve been happy with the way I’ve bowled in the second half of the tournament,” Botha was quoted as saying in the official website of Indian Premier League.
“We are proud of our performances. We certainly are not going to give Mumbai an easy win. We want to finish with eight wins in this tournament and go out on a high,” Botha concluded.
