Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has taken the blame on him for Rajasthan Royals one-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Chasing 207 for a win, RR could manage 205 for 8 in 20 overs to lose the match. Captain Riyan Parag top-scored for RR with a 45-ball 95.
“I was just sad, about me getting out. I was planning to stay till the last over. We couldn’t get much in the 16th and 17th, a miscalculation from my side. Should have finished it,” Parag said at the post-match presentation.
“I think we could have found better options in the first six overs. The spinners did really well. We could have looked to cut down some runs with the ball. But the game was in our hands, we should have finished this.
“I didn’t want the bowlers to bowl back to back. Madhwal, was only playing his 2nd game. Now it sounds like we could have done something else but maybe the right decision, I don’t know.
“Very difficult, he (Andre Russell) came in and took his time and then accelerated well. It was great to watch.
“It is a ground where sixes are hit, I knew the odd ball stopping and turning but I knew I had to pick my battles.
“I feel awful to give this interview here, but it is just how the game is. You have to clinical, the consequences are here.”
Earlier, Andre Russell struck a 25-ball 57 not out to lift KKR to 206 for four.
Apart from Russell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44), opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35) and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (30) were the other main contributors.
For RR, Jofra Archer (1/30), Yudhvir Singh Charak (1/26), Maheesh Theekshana (1/41) and Riyan Parag (1/21) were among the wickets.
The win kept KKR alive for the play-offs while RR are already out of the reckoning.
Brief Score
Kolkata Knight Riders: 206 for 4 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 57 not out; Jofra Archer 1/30)..
Rajasthan Royals: 205 for 8 in 20 overs (Riyan Parag 95, Yashasvi Jaiswal 34; Varun Chakravarthy 2/32, Moeen Ali 2/43, Harshit Rana 2/41)
