Rajasthan Royals (RR) have had a horrendous Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) campaign so far, managing to win just two games of the nine games played. What makes it even worse is three of their last games should have been won easily, as they were cruising in the run chases against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, in all three games, RR failed to chase just nine runs in the last over and now faces Gujarat Titans (GT) on Monday, April 28, in a must-win clash.
If RR had won those three games, then they would now be sitting in the first half of the points table. Alas, the reality is they are placed ninth. Although the Royals can still mathematically qualify if they win all five games from the game against GT today, RR has accepted the harsh reality of not making it to the playoffs this IPL 2025 season.
Speaking to the press on Sunday ahead of RR's third home game in Jaipur against GT, bowling coach Shane Bond said RR is done and dusted for this season. However, Bond also stated that RR will go fighting down in the remainder of their games as they are keeping preparations ready for the next IPL season.
RR bowling coach Shane Bond opens up about team's IPL 2025 season
"The hardest thing is that for 35 overs of games, we've played really well and in fact, have been in control in some games and probably got into positions where we should have won," Bond admitted on Sunday. "You have to give credit to the opposition, they were good enough in those tight moments to go over the top of us and win those games.
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"I suppose that's what hurts us. We're 2 (wins) and 7 (losses), and go, jeez, where we could sit on the table, but there's nothing we can do about that now. We're probably out of the tournament in terms of the points table, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to play for. Obviously, as a team, we want to make sure we finish the season strong and continue playing well, but also for individuals there's a lot to play for for the next season, wanting to stay with the franchise."
For the unversed, even if RR wins all their remaining five matches, that might still not be enough to make it through playoffs, as several other results need to go in their favor.
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