News

Early collapse cost us - Kumble

Anil Kumble has blamed the loss of early wickets as the reason for his team's 16-run defeat to Mumbai Indians in Port Elizabeth

Cricinfo staff
10-May-2009
Rahul Dravid was run out at the stroke of the 10th over and Bangalore never really recovered  •  Associated Press

Rahul Dravid was run out at the stroke of the 10th over and Bangalore never really recovered  •  Associated Press

Anil Kumble, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain, has blamed the loss of early wickets as the reason for his team's 16-run defeat to Mumbai Indians in Port Elizabeth. Bangalore were in trouble at 58 for 4 chasing 158 and the loss of wickets increased the pressure and the asking rate.
Kumble said Rahul Dravid's run-out for 10 was the turning point in the chase. Dravid turned around for a second run but he failed to make his ground before Lasith Malinga's throw from long-off reached the bowler.
"We lost too many wickets at the start [of the run chase] and probably that was the main reason [for the loss]. That's what we need to look at seriously," Kumble said. "I think Rahul's run-out was crucial. If he was there till the end it was still a good wicket to bat and we could have chased it down."
Kumble felt the loss of wickets only piled the pressure on Boucher who made an unbeaten 48 off 33 balls.
"Boucher is someone who played till the end to try and finish the game for us, but unfortunately it was too many runs at the end for him," Kumble said.
The winning captain Sachin Tendulkar praised the contributions of JP Duminy and Ajinkya Rahane, who scored half-centuries and lifted Mumbai to a match-winning total. Mumbai were desperate for a win after three successive defeats and the victory helped them move to No. 6, just ahead of Bangalore.
"We needed this victory and all thanks to JP and Ajinkya," Tendulkar said. "I thought they really batted well till the end. Sanath [Jayasuriya] too did a good job. Our bowlers also bowled well. It was a good all-round performance by the team. It was an all-round performance, batting, bowling and fielding everything was good."