Rajasthan Royals (RR) spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule recently shared his thoughts on the team's challenging run, acknowledging the emotional toll of losing two closely contested matches back-to-back. Despite the tough losses, Bahutule emphasized that there is no sense of "panic" within the camp. The Royals had narrowly lost to Lucknow Super Giants by two runs in their latest match, and in their previous outing, they were defeated by Delhi Capitals in a nail-biting Super Over.
With only two wins from their eight matches, Rajasthan finds itself struggling at the eighth position on the points table, but Bahutule remains optimistic about the team's overall performance. "We've been playing good cricket, no doubt about that. It's just that the results haven't been in our favour. In the dugout, there's a lot of calmness, especially with Rahul (Dravid) around. We’ve all been around cricket long enough to know that panicking isn't the solution," Bahutule stated in the post-match press conference.
The coach made it clear that despite the unfortunate outcomes, the team isn't losing its composure. "Losing by two runs in this game and the previous one in a Super Over... it's been tough. But that’s T20 cricket for you! It’s a format that’s full of risks and uncertainties," he added. The nature of T20 cricket often brings the game down to thrilling moments, where a single mistake or a great over can change the course of the match. Bahutule’s words reflected the understanding and maturity the team is holding onto during these tough times.
RR's loss to Lucknow Super Giants was particularly painful as they seemed on track to win, but in the end, they fell just short. Bahutule pointed out that the team is focused on reducing their on-field mistakes, which can often make the difference between a win and a loss. "In cricket, there’s always room for improvement. We’ve been focusing on minimizing mistakes. For example, when we had a good partnership going, we could’ve finished the game earlier, perhaps in a couple of overs. But Avesh Khan bowled some crucial overs in the 18th and 20th, and that pressure turned the tide," he said.
The Royals also felt the absence of their regular captain, Sanju Samson, who missed the game due to an injury. Bahutule admitted that not having Samson on the field was a significant setback. "We definitely missed Sanju. He's the leader of the team, and his presence is always felt, not just with the bat but in terms of his leadership and composure. They will assess his injury and update us accordingly," Bahutule explained. The team’s performance was undeniably affected without their star player, but Bahutule also recognized the bright potential of debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was brought in as a replacement.
Talking about the young debutant, Bahutule had nothing but praise for Vaibhav. "I think he has a bright future ahead. He’s a great kid, really grounded, and his game is pretty much well-rounded. He’s almost got a 360-degree game, and that’s something rare in a player of his age. He’s brave too, always looking to dominate. The way he approaches the game at such a young age is impressive – he’s not intimidated by the opposition and focuses on watching the ball and playing his shots," Bahutule observed.
In terms of player performance, Bahutule also backed pacer Sandeep Sharma, despite his final over being expensive, which allowed LSG to seal the game in their favour. Sandeep conceded 27 runs in his final over, a situation that often leads to criticism, but Bahutule stood by the bowler. "Sandeep is a fantastic bowler, and he’s always bowled under pressure. If you look back at our previous match, he bowled two brilliant overs, one giving away just five runs and the other seven," Bahutule reminded the media.
The RR coach expressed his disappointment at how certain aspects of a player's performance are often forgotten while focusing on their mistakes. "People tend to forget the important overs – the ones where the bowler has done well under pressure. Instead, there’s too much focus on the overs where things didn't go as planned. But for us, Sandeep is a 100% contributor to the team, and we back him completely," Bahutule emphasized, underscoring the team’s commitment to supporting each other.
It’s clear that Bahutule has a strong belief in his players' abilities, especially in the face of adversity. The Rajasthan Royals’ current situation might not be ideal, but their coach's approach is all about perspective, patience, and minimizing mistakes. The ups and downs of the season are part of the game, and as Bahutule mentioned, “T20 cricket is a format where a lot of risk is involved." The key for RR now is to stay calm, learn from their losses, and keep striving for improvement.
Looking ahead, the Royals will need to regroup and find ways to turn things around. With their calm leadership, young and talented players, and the steady backing of experienced mentors, RR can still bounce back in the remaining matches. It’s not the end of the road yet, and as Bahutule aptly put it, "That’s the way the game goes." The Royals are looking to keep their heads held high and focus on the next steps to get their campaign back on track.
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