We are not too disappointed, says Harbhajan after nine-wicket crushing to RCB – Cricket News Update
The Mumbai Indians' skipper, Harbhajan Singh, is not disappointed at his side’s convincing nine-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore and is looking forward to the ensuing four games to confirm a berth in the
tournament playoffs.
Bhajji and men lost comprehensively to Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers in front of an adoring home crowd on Wednesday night, but the defeat did not affect their position on the IPL-V points table, as they still find
themselves third on the standings, behind Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils.
“To be honest, we are not too disappointed,” said Harbhajan after the match. “We still have four games to go. I think Royal Challengers Bangalore played much better than we did,” the turbanator agreed.
After being put into bat, the hosts could only post a modest total of 141 for 6 in their quota of twenty overs. Wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik top scored for Mumbai with a 39-ball 44 while the rest of the batsmen
fell for scores inside 24. Sachin Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard and Harbhajan Singh all scored in twenty’s but that was not enough contribution to set a competitive target for the star-studded Royal Challengers' line-up, including the likes of Tillakaratne
Dilshan, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and the well-in-form AB de Villiers.
In reply, after losing Dilshan in the ninth over with just 48 on the board, Gayle and Kohli shared an unbeaten stand of 94 runs for the second-wicket to take the side home quite comfortably by the end of the 18th
over.
The home skipper admitted they were 15 to 20 odd runs short of a competitive total.
“I think we were about 15-20 runs short. Still, we should have given them a tough fight,” said the off-spinner who was given the charge of MI ahead of the 2012 IPL, after Sachin Tendulkar stepped down.
“But we could not put up a good show. We were sloppy in our fielding. I think if we could have taken Chris Gayle’s catch, the result might have been different,” he added further.
Bhajji also rued losing the toss. “It was an important toss, which Royal Challengers Bangalore won. Their bowlers utilised the conditions really well and bowled according to their plans.”
Mumbai Indians will next play table toppers Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, May 12, 2012.
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