Parag: We Lacked Intent Against the Spinners

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag admitted that his side’s failure to attack Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) spinners was a key factor in their narrow 11-run defeat in Bengaluru—a third consecutive loss in a chase that had seemed within reach.

Chasing 206, RR needed just 18 runs from the final two overs. But Josh Hazlewood delivered a match-defining penultimate over, conceding only one run and removing both a well-set Dhruv Jurel and Jofra Archer in back-to-back deliveries. Yash Dayal then successfully defended 16 runs in the last over to seal a dramatic win for RCB.

This marks the third straight match RR have lost in the final stretch of a chase. In their previous two games—against Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants—they needed just nine runs in the last over but fell short both times.

While RCB’s pace attack, apart from Hazlewood, leaked runs at over 11 per over, it was their spinners who put the brakes on RR during the crucial middle overs. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma each gave away just 31 runs in their four overs, with Krunal picking up the vital wickets of Parag and Nitish Rana.

“I think we did really well with the ball,” Parag said post-match. “It looked like a 210-220 pitch, and we kept them to 205. At the halfway mark of our innings, we were in control, needing around 8.5 an over for the last 10-11 overs. But we didn’t show enough intent against the spinners, and that’s on us. We could’ve executed better with the bat.”

RCB’s own spin weapon, Wanindu Hasaranga, was also effective—conceding just 30 runs and taking a wicket while keeping the batters in check with smart variations.

RR raced to 87 in the first seven overs against pace but lost momentum once spin was introduced. From overs 10 to 14, they managed only two boundaries, with the required run rate climbing from 8.72 to over 11.5 by the end of the 14th over.

When asked if the slowdown was a mental hurdle, Parag said, “The support staff has given us complete freedom. The responsibility is on us as players to back ourselves and play with intent. This tournament is ruthless—small mistakes get punished, and that’s exactly what happened today.”

With their fifth straight defeat, RR remain in eighth place on the points table. With just two wins from nine games, they now find themselves in must-win territory. Even winning all of their remaining five matches may not be enough to guarantee a playoff berth.

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