‘Focusing on givingmy best for Royals’

[1]

Rajasthan Royals are virtually through to the playoff stage in IPL-6, but in-form batsman Ajinkya Rahane feels they need to keep their focus on playing good cricket in the remaining league matches.
Minutes after he had helped finish off a comfortable run chase in steering the Royals to an eight-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab at the PCA Stadium here on Thursday, the opening batsman said the team were not thinking as far ahead as the next stage of the tournament as yet.
“We play Chennai Super Kings next in Jaipur, and that is the focus now. We have 18 points but are not thinking too much about the playoffs. What is important for us is the fact that the boys are playing well, playing as a unit.”
Given the stark contrast in the way the Kings XI batsmen barring Shaun Marsh had played and the manner in which the Royals top-order barring skipper Rahul Dravid handled the chase, was the track tough to bat on, Rahane was asked.
“Not really, it was a bit slow but I’m enjoying my batting and focusing on giving my best for the Rajasthan Royals. I thought our bowlers did really well on this pitch, they are working well as a unit.”
Losing captain Adam Gilchrist, back at the helm after a four-match break, lamented the fact that the Kings XI had not been able to gel as a batting group. “It’s been tough. We have been criticised, and with some justification, about our performances.
“We have had a couple of wins on the back of David Miller’s batting, otherwise it hasn’t gone well for us.”
The attacking left-hander said the pitch had played a role in their below-par total.
“It was a naggy sort of a wicket, I got some runs, but that’s all you can say about it. Could never say you were in, but yeah, it was nice to be playing again and getting some runs, however they came.
“The biggest factor today was their bowlers, their ability to take the pace off the ball, and after that Rahane batted beautifully.
“We know we have to win every game left, and we’ll have to just try and do that.”