The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) garnered hope of making into the play-offs after registering victories in the last three face-offs. However, after losing to Delhi Capitals on Sunday evening closed all the door as they became the first team to get knocked out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019.
Having suffered a 16-run defeat despite a blistering start, RCB captain Virat Kohli admitted that the home side played better in crunch moments.
“We started off really well with the bat. Powerplay was outstanding and then I got going, but me and AB (de Villiers) getting out to balls that you don't get out to. That's how the game goes some times. Delhi played better than us in the crunch moments,” Kohli said.
Delhi Capitals qualified for the IPL play-offs for the first time since 2012 while it is all but over for the Kohli-led RCB, following their eighth loss in 12 games.
Kohli said RCB allowed Delhi to score 20-odd runs more than an ideal total after the home side elected to bat.
“It was a very important toss especially with how the wicket played. We showed a lot of character even after losing the toss, but it got away a little bit in the end. We were thinking 160-165 but 185 on that sort of a pitch, with three spinners, was always going to be tough,” the RCB skipper said.
After a disastrous start, RCB kept themselves in the hunt for a play-off berth by winning four out of last six games.
“We put ourselves under too much pressure in the first six games and then it is always hard work in the latter half. So, we just decided to have a lot of fun and that's why we won four out of the last six games we have played,” Kohli said.
“The important thing now, with two games left, is to go out there and have fun. Not take too much pressure. Obviously, we want to perform as best as we can, but the fun factor should not go away. We have to go out there and play positive cricket. Once the last two games are done, we will sit down and see where the tournament had gone for us,” he added.