As a team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore are gutted about how our semifinal panned out. We were up against a very good team in the Chennai Super Kings, but still, anyone would admit that nothing went right for us on the day. Having come this far, it was disappointing that we had to go out in this fashion.
Dale Steyn was a crucial part of our strategy, especially when you take into account the extra pace and bounce that he could have extracted from the Kingsmead pitch. Some of the young Chennai batsmen would have been challenged by Steyn, but that was not to be. To lose a bowler like him, who could have delivered four critical overs, in a freak accident so early into the game was demoralising.
Once that happened, we turned to Virat Kohli, hoping he could do the job with his medium pace. But, unfortunately, even that was not to be as he pulled up with a back niggle. After that we had no option but to turn to Craig White.
Even he did not have a good day.
We are not taking anything away from Suresh Raina, or the Chennai Super Kings. They played exceptionally on the day, but, unfortunately, we were not in a position to showcase our quality in the best possible manner. Even after conceding a big score, with the rain really not helping at any stage, we could have been in the running if we had a strong start to the chase.
{{/usCountry}}We are not taking anything away from Suresh Raina, or the Chennai Super Kings. They played exceptionally on the day, but, unfortunately, we were not in a position to showcase our quality in the best possible manner. Even after conceding a big score, with the rain really not helping at any stage, we could have been in the running if we had a strong start to the chase.
{{/usCountry}}The first five overs of that innings could have been crucial, but we lost Robin Uthappa early and then it felt like it was just going to be one of those days.
Had we come close, played at our best, and lost, we would not have felt so bad about leaving the tournament.
The other thing to think about is that this could be our last match together as a group. With the IPL auctions coming up, we may not all be together much longer. Given the hard work we've put in over the last three years, it would have been nice to go out on a high, a parting gift of sorts.
Now, of course, I hope the Chennai Super Kings go all the way, and can do what we were unable to. Whoever CSK play, a win would be good, leaving an Indian team on top at the end of the tournament.