‘Did not expect Rajasthan Royals to do this’ - Anuj Rawat analyses hosts' subpar batting show against RCB

Chasing a target of 172 runs at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Rajasthan Royals needed a strong start with the bat against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, to the contrary, their wickets fell like a house of cards as the home team got bundled out for 59 runs - the third-lowest score in the history of the Indian Premier League. Shimron Hetmyer was the sole warrior for RR in the middle, with 35 runs off 19 deliveries while nine of their batters failed to score in double digits.

Speaking about Rajasthan Royal’s batting collapse, stumper-batter Anuj Rawat stated that he didn’t expect this from the Sanju Samson-led side. Notably, the 23-year-old himself smacked 29* runs off just 11 deliveries in the match to help RCB finish on a higher note in the first innings, and speaking about the same, Rawat mentioned that he practiced a lot ahead of the season and is happy that he could create some impact in the match.

“This is what I have practised before the season and I was confident of making some impact and that's what I did,” Rawat said at the post-match press conference as quoted by India Today.

“Rajasthan have been playing really well and did not expect Rajasthan to do this (capitulate). This is a game of cricket and anything can happen,” he later added.

We will go one game at a time from here: Rawat

Courtesy of their massive 112-run win over Rajasthan Royals, RCB not only have improved their standing in the IPL points table but also have improved their net run rate, which can come in handy in the qualification race. Rawat too mentioned the importance of the same and stated that they will go one game at a time from here.

“Before this game out NRR was on the negative side and now it is positive and that is very good for us. We will go one game at a time from here,” Rawat concluded.

Notably, RCB will play their next game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 18 and will be hosting Gujarat Titans at Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 21.