IPL: Rahane takes blame for defeat to KKR

Jaipur April 19 (IANS) Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane blamed himself for his team s seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) game on Wednesday night.

"I feel it was a different wicket from what we played on against Delhi Daredevils. It was slow and ball was also keeping low. I feel it was my responsibility to take that innings forward " Rahane told reporters after the game here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

"It is hard to recover from slow start because T20 is all about one or two big overs. I was batting well and wanted to continue till the 14th or 15th over " the India Test vice-captain added.

Rahane scored a 19-ball 36 and was looking good for a big one after being put in to bat by rival skipper Dinesh Karthik. But he lost his wicket to a Nitish Rana delivery in which Karthik pulled off a brilliant stumping.

Asked if his bowlers should be blamed for failing to defend a modest target of 161 Rahane said "Not really our bowlers have done a good job in all three matches. In T20 sometimes you go for runs but we have a good combination. When you lose people start talking about bad bowling or batting " he said adding that the fielding was not up to the mark and there was scope for much improvement.

Rajasthan will next take on Chennai Super Kings on Friday.

--IANS
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