All credit to KKR batsmen, says Pune’s Rahane

Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) began their 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) home stretch of three matches with a seven-wicket loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir (62) and Robin Uthappa (87) forged a 158run second wicket partnership to chase down Rising Pune Supergiant’s total of 182 for five with 11 balls to spare.

While RPS skipper Steve Smith blamed the dew factor for being unable to defend the target, his teammate Ajinkya Rahane justified that the team was not trying to give any excuse for the seven-wicket defeat. When asked if the dew troubled the RPS spinners, Rahane said: “Absolutely,” before continuing, “Many times people think it is an excuse, but from a bowler’s point of view, it is difficult to bowl when dew factor comes in play.

“It was difficult to grip the ball as the ball got completely wet,” added Rahane. “So, I feel chasing 180 would have been different if there was no dew tonight as it was easier to grip the ball in the first innings than the second innings. Again it all depends on the way the chasing team plays. Robin displayed great intent that was later capitalized by Gautam Gambhir. Other than the dropped catches, we didn’t make too many mistakes.”

The dew made the wicket easier to bat on as no Pune bowler looked to trouble Gambhir and Uthappa. It also made catching the wet ball difficult.

RPS dropped crucial catches of Uthappa, when he was on 12, and Gambhir which was a bit difficult chance for Washington Sundar when the KKR skipper top-edged at short fine-leg. Rahane does not think Pune lost the match because of

dropped catches.