Bangalore, March 19: Skipper Anil Kumble was happy with his bowlers’ performance in their match against Rajasthan, in which Bangalore skittled out the 2008 champions for a meagre 92 runs.
Kumble himself grabbed three wickets, while Praveen Kumar claimed the first hat-trick of IPL-3, and the batsmen knocked off the required runs in quick time without losing any wickets.
Jacques Kallis, who is enjoying a dream run in this year’s IPL so far, completed a fine all-round display, hitting 44 not out after claiming 2 wickets.
“In the last game against Mohali, I thought we probably let ourselves down in the field in terms of the bowling performance,” said Kumble.
“Today, everybody wanted to make amends and the plans were executed exceptionally well. Praveen and Dale Steyn were magnificent at the start and that set the tone.”
Bangalore started the tournament with a loss to Kolkata, but with consecutive victories now, Kumble was confident his team would do well in their next match which is against the mighty Mumbai side.
“Mumbai have done very well and we will be playing at their home ground,” Kumble said.
“I think the confidence is high and we are in great shape. The middle order has not spent significant time at the crease, but we have experienced players there in Rahul Dravid and Mark Boucher.
“Eoin Morgan is an exciting talent for us so I’m sure they will handle what ever comes at them in Mumbai.”
For Rajasthan, the loss against Bangalore was their third straight defeat, but Warne was still optimistic of a semi-final berth.
“We were pretty ordinary in all departments and when you only get 90 runs you need a miracle to win from there,” Warne said.
“Miracles come along once maybe in a whole campaign and we have to admit we were just not good enough.
“Sure we have lost some players and that hasn’t helped the cause especially with the start we have had, but with that comes opportunity.
“Today I think it was just the inexperience. We just couldn’t sum up the situation quickly enough.
“It takes only a couple of good performances to turn it around and it does not matter when you start, but all you need to win is seven or eight games to get in the semi-finals.
“Hopefully for us it will be soon.”
——-Agencies