Rajasthan Royals’ fast bowling coach Shane Bond admitted that his side’s defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) exposed shortcomings in their bowling, particularly in a T20 setup where batters are displaying more daring shot-making and greater freedom. The result extended RR’s difficult stretch at home, with the franchise recording its seventh loss in eight matches in Jaipur since the previous season.
Key takeaways
- Shane Bond said the bowling unit must improve its execution in a batting-friendly environment where batters are more aggressive and inventive.
- Rajasthan’s home woes continued, landing them a seventh defeat in eight games at Jaipur since last season.
- GT’s opening duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan powered another 220-plus total, making the chase extremely difficult for the Royals.
- Bond acknowledged the team looked “pretty banged up” after several matches in quick succession, affecting sharpness in the field.
- He pointed to the middle order—especially Shimron Hetmyer—as an area that has not produced enough runs consistently.
- Bond insisted the Jaipur wicket was not the problem, arguing RR simply needed to execute better.
Bond’s assessment after the defeat
Speaking to reporters after the match, Bond described the outing as disappointing and stressed the importance of the game for both sides in the points race. He noted that while he had not checked the net run-rate situation at that stage, RR would need to win two of their final three matches—or possibly all three—to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The coach also referenced the schedule, admitting that the Royals had played five matches with only three days between games and were therefore not at their best physically. In his words, the side felt “pretty banged up,” which translated into a drop in fielding sharpness.
Bond further argued that RR have struggled to extract enough output from their middle order. He highlighted West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer’s recent numbers, saying the hitter has managed 78 runs across seven innings. Bond contrasted that with Hetmyer’s earlier impact in subcontinental conditions around the T20 World Cup, where he had scored 248 runs in seven innings and also produced two fifties.
While acknowledging Hetmyer would be the first to admit he did not score as many runs as he wanted, Bond said that is simply part of cricket. He added that the Royals, across the board, were not good enough on a day when a total near 230 was always going to be a serious challenge. Bond also said RR misread the surface slightly, and that Rashid Khan’s ability to trouble batters on such tracks made the task even harder.
Why Bond believes bowling standards must rise
In a wider reflection on the modern T20 game, Bond said bowlers have to keep developing their skills because batters now carry less fear and use a wider set of strokes. He pointed out that batters are using options like upper cuts, reverse sweeps and scoops more frequently, and that bowlers must respond by sharpening their own craft as well.
Bond framed it as an opportunity for bowlers to elevate themselves—suggesting that performing at the highest level can bring rewards and recognition. However, he admitted RR have not shown that consistency across the board. He also noted that for bowlers it is not always easy: either they get overwhelmed by what batters are doing, or they treat it as a chance to improve and put their names in the spotlight—especially if they are Indian.
On the wicket itself, Bond said there were no complaints about the surface in Jaipur. He said it had played well and “beautifully,” insisting the real issue was that RR needed to be better in execution. He pointed out that the Royals have conceded 230 in three consecutive games—mid to late 220s against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals while defending—and suggested earlier chances also slipped away, including dropped catches against SRH that could have swung the result.
Bond concluded that while the team had trained well at home, it had not translated into performances. He also praised GT’s start, saying the opposition were excellent from ball one, with Shubman and Sai playing beautifully and the GT bowling unit delivering strongly throughout.
Match report: GT’s 229/4 and RR’s collapse
GT won the toss and were put in to bat first by RR, and they built pressure with an 118-run opening stand. Sai Sudharsan contributed 55 off 36 balls, striking six fours and two sixes, while captain Shubman Gill struck at a similar tempo with 84 off 44 balls, including nine fours and three sixes.
A rapid cameo from Washington Sundar—37 not out from 20 balls with two fours and three sixes—helped GT reach 229/4 in their 20 overs.
For RR’s chase of 230, the start showed intent. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit 36 off 16 balls featuring three fours and three sixes, while Dhruv Jurel made 24 off 10 balls with a four and two maximums. However, GT’s bowlers tightened the screws quickly: Rashid Khan produced 4/33 in his four overs, and Jason Holder took 3/12 in 2.3 overs to restrict RR to 152 all out in 16.3 overs.
In RR’s bowling innings, Brijesh Sharma was the most successful, finishing with figures of 2/47.
Points table context
GT moved into the second spot on the points table with seven wins and four losses, giving them a total of 14 points. RR remained fifth, with six wins and five losses, collecting 12 points after the defeat.
