Sharjah:Virat Kohli found it hard to hide disappointment after his side Royal Challengers Bangalore were defeated by six wickets to MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings here on Friday, saying 'we gave it all away'.
RCB, who suffered their second consecutive loss in the UAE phase of the IPL 2021, were in control of the game at one stage at 110/0 but eventually conceded the match after pedestrian performances by their middle-order batsmen and bowlers.
"We need to get on a winning run again. This game is more disappointing than the first one. We were on top and then gave it all away, " Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Kohli, who scored 53 runs during a 100-plus century stand with Devdutt Paddikal (70), then came down heavily on his bowlers for an uninspiring show while defending a total of 156.
"The pitch had a lot to offer but our bowlers could not make use. They got away with too many boundary opportunities. CSK bowled well in their back end and executed the yorkers when needed," he said.
"It was difficult for us to get elevation, and only bad balls could be put away. We then gave too many boundary balls. We spoke of areas we didn't want them to hit, but we couldn't do that. The X-Factor was missing in the first five overs with the ball."Kohli also felt that the batsmen could have done more by taking the close to 175 runs.(UNI)
RCB vs CSK: Asked Bravo to bowl six different balls in an over, says MS Dhoni
Following Chennai Super Kings comfortable seven wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore, MS Dhoni praised man of the match Dwayne Bravo (3/23) for turning up fit for IPL 2021 and taking responsibilities in the team.
"Bravo has turned up fit, that's a very good thing. And he is executing well. I call him my brother, " said the winning captain at the presentation ceremony. "We always have fights over whether he should bowl the slower ball. But I told him that now everyone knows he bowls slower balls, so I told him to bowl six different balls in one over. Whenever he can, he takes up responsibilities."
In a match that saw RCB managing just 155/6 after being in firm control at one stage at 110/0, Dhoni felt that the wicket was slowest of all three venues (Dubai, Abu Dhabi being the others) for the tournament, urging him to pick left- and right-hand combinations for the playing XI.
"Over here, the three grounds are different. This is slowest (so far) of all. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are different. So the players have been adapting.
"Looking at the wicket, I felt left-right combo was important. We bat deep, we have a lot of left-handers, so in the back of the head its there. And I feel all of them are good enough to play in any position. That's why we went with the left-right combination, which may have pushed Raina and Rayudu down, " said the 40-year-old cricketer.
Dhoni also praised his bowlers for making a comeback after the strong start by RCB, saying his players have worked hard and have understood their responsibilities.
"They got off to a good start but after ninth over wicket slowed down. You still had to bowl tight, and Jadeja's spell was important with Padikkal batting from one end. After that Bravo, Josh, Shardul, Deepak were brilliant. Its always on the back of your mind on which bowler can be effective over here, " he said.
