RR down by 20 runs after Starc's innings, admits Vikram Rathour

Rajasthan Royals assistant coach Vikram Rathour admitted that Mitchell Starc’s game-changing 15th over proved crucial in RR’s five-wicket defeat by Delhi Capitals and said the visitors were at least 20 runs short after dramatically losing momentum at the death.

DC vs RR: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

RR were cruising at 160/2 after 14 overs before Starc tore through the middle order, taking three wickets in a single over and triggering a collapse that restricted Rajasthan to 193/8. Delhi Capitals chased down the target with four balls to spare.

“We had at least 20 runs, if not more. We were 160 in 14 overs and only two wickets down. From there we should have been 220. Losing three wickets in one over doesn’t help. We could have been smarter with the decisions we made in that over,” Rathour said after the match.

“That definitely changed the result for us. He’s obviously a world-class bowler but the kind of options we took in that over were bad. We could have done it differently and given ourselves more time to go through that phase and deepen the game.”

Defeat put RR under pressure once again in the playoffs and their familiar second-half slump reappeared. Along with the batting collapse, Rajasthan were also questioned for several tactical challenges during the chase.

The decision to bring in batting all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as an Impact Player raised eyebrows as it meant RR could not introduce another front-line bowler later in the innings. With Ravindra Jadeja unavailable due to a groin in his knee, the move further weakened an already struggling bowling attack.

Shanaka only bowled 10 with the bat but bowled three clean overs to dismiss KL Rahul. Still, RR were short of specialist options at the death and turned to Donovan Ferreira on a part-time basis in the 18th over with Axar Patel and David Miller at the crease. The over went for 16 runs and turned the match firmly in DC’s favour.

Explaining the decision-making, Rathour said that RR were forced to use Shanaka after a late batting collapse.

“Our original thought was to go with six bowlers. But as we were losing wickets too quickly, we had to pick Dasun as an impact player. Otherwise, we had the option of bringing in a specialist bowler in the second innings,” Rathour said.

“Decisions on the field are made by the captain. Plans are discussed beforehand with analysts and coaches, but at this stage it is the captain who makes the call.”

Rathour also confirmed that Riyan Parag’s hamstring injury affected the captain’s decision not to bowl. Parag missed the previous match against Gujarat Titans due to the same problem and required treatment during his half-century on Sunday.

“He’s struggling again. Riyan is dealing with paralysis after paralysis so I’m not sure how comfortable he was bowling. It was an option but the call didn’t go our way,” Rathour said.

On Jadeja’s absence, Rathour said the team management is cautious with the all-rounder.

“He has a knack in his knee. Management thought it would help to give him a break for the next game.”

Before collapsing, teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impressed again with a brisk 46 off 21 balls. Although he fell to a slower delivery from Madhav Tiwari, Rathour dismissed suggestions that the pace bowling exposed a weakness in the youngster’s game.

“I don’t think slower balls are a weakness for Vaibhav. On wickets like this where he grips the ball a bit, the change of pace works against anybody,” Rathour said.

“He’s a special player and he’s already shown his ability. I just hope he turns one of those starts into a big inning soon.”

Rathour also advocated different batting styles within RR’s young squad, pointing to Virat Kohli as proof that players need not rely solely on power hitting to succeed in T20 cricket.

“Dhruv doesn’t need to bat like Vaibhav and Vaibhav shouldn’t try to bat like Dhruv. They have different strengths. If players trust their strengths, they can succeed,” he said.

“Virat is still extremely successful in this format and he is not a power hitter. It shows that there is scope for different types of players if he supports their game.”

Despite the loss, which left RR sixth in the table and facing an uphill battle for the playoffs, Rathour insisted that the faith in the dressing room remained intact.

“We have to win both the remaining games and that is our mindset. If we play to our potential, we believe we can beat any side,” he said.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

18 May 2026 10:40 AM IST