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Shane Watson expressed his disappointment over Rajasthan Royals’ fourth consecutive defeat, this time against the already-eliminated Punjab Kings in Guwahati. The Royals struggled with their batting, managing only 144/9 in 20 overs, with Riyan Parag being the only standout performer, scoring 48 runs. Despite early setbacks, the Punjab Kings chased down the target with seven balls remaining.
The Royals, who were dominant in the first half of the season, have lost momentum as the group stage nears its conclusion. Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson did not hold back in his criticism, emphasizing the importance of delivering clutch performances at this critical juncture of the season.
“They have certainly lost momentum and tonight, it seemed no one was up for the fight. Sanju Samson is the captain, he's willing everyone to be up for the fight. Avesh Khan, Riyan Parag did a job, but outside of them, everyone looked flat. This is not the time to be flat,” Watson stated on JioCinema.
Despite being assured of a playoff spot, failing to finish in the top two could see the Royals competing in the eliminator round. Watson voiced his surprise at the team's early-season performance and expressed disappointment over their recent decline.
“I have been very surprised with how the Rajasthan Royals have taken off. They were flying high with no weaknesses in their team. They were able to just mix and match when they really needed to,” Watson added.
The Rajasthan Royals’ recent defeats include losses to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings. The team’s performance has seen a stark contrast compared to their earlier dominance, causing concern among fans and analysts alike.
"If Sunrisers Hyderabad beat the Gujarat Titans on Thursday night, the Royals will lose their third spot in the points table," Watson noted. This potential shift in standings adds further pressure on the team to regain their form quickly.
The race for playoff spots is heating up, with multiple teams still in contention. In addition to Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore are all vying for a place in the playoffs. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants also have an outside chance to qualify.
Watson emphasized the need for the Royals to build confidence and gather some good performances to approach the playoffs with momentum. “They need to get a few good performances under them and build their confidence to hit the playoffs flying. They are going in the other direction. For the Rajasthan Royals fans and players, that's not what they want,” he concluded.
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