Published: May 30, 2025, 04:56 PM (IST)
Edited: May 30, 2025, 04:56 PM (IST)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowling coach James Hopes is optimistic about the team reaching the finals of the India Premier League (IPL) for the first time in 11 years, even though they had to face a humiliating defeat in the Qualifier 1. James simply wants his players to not ‘second guess themselves’ ahead of their next chance for the title decider.
As they had topped the league stage with their professional and ultra aggressive approach, PBKS were given a massive shock in the name of an 8-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday May 29. However, they still have a chance to hit back and secure their place in the final, but the catch is that they will have to win the second qualifier match- set to be held on Sunday June 1st.
“The worst thing our batters can do now is blink and start jumping at shadows and second-guessing themselves,” said Hopes following the heavy loss.
“We played the first over okay with the bat and then it sort of just snowballed from there. It’s necessary that we digest it and move on from it by the end of tonight because we have to travel tomorrow (Friday) and we’ve got to get up to play another game on Sunday and we’re going to do it the hard way now,” he added.
“But I hope we meet RCB again on Tuesday night (final),” he further added.
Speaking about the batting performance of the team, James said that the team could not manage to do well, but they have worked hard and earned the right for the second match- and have two days to redeem themselves and mark a strong comeback, eventually reaching to the finals.
“To be honest we didn’t have a great night with the bat but we have a two-day turnaround now to play another final, to earn the right. We’ve worked for two and a bit months to earn the right to have a second chance and we’re going to cash that second chance in hopefully,” James said.
James Hopes even spoke about how the pitch in Ahmedabad is a very good pitch and that they know they are going to have to go and score quickly. He also said how the team has worked two and a half months to reach this position, and that they will be making full use of that second chance.
“Historically, it (Ahmedabad) is a very good pitch and we know we’re going to have to go quite hard and score quite quickly. It’s not back to the drawing board by any means. We’ve worked two and a half months to get into a position where we get a second opportunity and we’re going to have to use that second opportunity now,” Hopes concluded.
Speaking about the match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 to enter the final of the Indian Premier League here on Thursday. RCB bowlers justified skipper Rajat Patidar’s decision to field first by packing off PBKS for a paltry 101 in just 14.1 overs.
In reply, RCB romped home, scoring 106 for 2 in 10 overs with Philip Salt scoring 27-ball 56.
