IPL 2017: “Gujarat Lions were 25-30 runs short against Rising Pune Supergiant,” says Suresh Raina

GL were 25-30 runs short against RPS: Raina

Despite Monday’s loss to Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), Gujarat Lions (GL) are still mathematically in the hunt to qualify for the playoffs. Not only do they have to win their remaining four matches, they will have to hope that some of the other results too go their way. GL skipper Suresh Raina was clearly disappointed after the loss, but praised Ben Stokes after the Englishman scored an unbeaten 103 off 63 to take his side home. Raina said that Stokes took his chances very well and got his side over the line. Raina also went on to say that his side was about 25 to 30 runs short. Full cricket scorecard: RPS vs GL, IPL 2017, Match 39

Talking about the match, Raina said, “We played really well. Last over we did not bowl well. Probably the dew was there. Credit goes to Stokes, he batted really well. He took his chances and played really well. He knew that we did not have power in the spin department. We were 25-30 runs short, still we played well. We kept losing wickets and did not have wickets in the end.” READ: IPL 2017: Stokes’ unbeaten 103 clinches last-over thriller for RPS vs GL

Raina also praised Basil Thampi and Pradeep Sangwan for setting up the match beautifully in the initial overs after GL were bundled out for 161. Talking about the upcoming matches, Raina said that his side was working hard on bowling and fielding, but added that the batsmen need to step up as well. “We have got 4 games to go. We are putting our effort in the bowling and fielding department after 6-7 games. Still we need to take responsibility in the batting department too. Hopefully things will turn our way,” Raina said.