Attacking Malinga a mistake - Owais Shah

Rajasthan Royals batsman Owais Shah says his decision to attack Mumbai Indians fast bowler Lasith Malinga during their match on Wednesday was a "mistake". Shah was bowled by a Malinga yorker in the bowler's penultimate over and his dismissal left Royals needing 64 off 35 balls. They fell 27 short

Royals, who were chasing 198, had lost their way at the start with Rahul Dravid falling for 3 and Shreevats Goswami without scoring. Shah kept the chase going by attacking the Mumbai Indians bowlers from the start but was dismissed in the 15th over. Royals eventually went on to suffer their first defeat of the season.

"I made a mistake by not playing out Lasith Malinga, who is very dangerous," Shah said after the game. "I didn't have to play too many shots against him. Maybe I should have stuck around and seen Malinga off and then tried to attack the other bowlers. Malinga has a lethal yorker. I made a mistake and I'm quite happy to hold my hand up and say - next time I won't make that mistake.

"At the end of the day we didn't win, so my efforts were useless. I tried my best to get the team to win the game and to get the team as close as possible. But the best players take you all the way, so something that was missing was the finishing touch."

Shah is playing for Royals this year after having been part of Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils and KochiTuskers Kerala in previous IPL seasons. However, this is the first time Shah has had a regular run in the XI, having been on the bench regularly in previous years. He's scored 14 not out, 23 not out and 76 in three innings for Royals.

"This is the first time I've had much of a chance, this is the first time I've played in an IPL team. I actually feel like I'm having a proper run in a side now," Shah said. "I didn't really play for Delhi , when I was there, I played four games for Kolkata Knight Riders. I played three games for Kochi last year, so I've hardly played."

Royals have played three matches in IPL 2012, winning their first two before losing to Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium.