We have been struggling with our batting: Dravid

14th May 2008

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Rahul Dravid conceded that his side were struggling to get the right batting combination after Kings XI Punjab beat them by nine wickets. This was the Challengers' seventh loss in the tournament, from of a total of nine outings.

Speaking at the customary post-match press conference, Dravid pointed out that his team had tried and tested quite a few combinations, but none had really delivered the desired results. The Challengers have experimented with having their established Twenty20 pro's, including Misbah-ul-Haq, Mark Boucher and Cameroon White, bat up the order, but none have really fired.

However, he quickly asserted that it was the team performance on the whole, and not individual brilliances that mattered.

"We have tried quite a few combinations. We have mixed and matched a lot. We have played what can be called our biggest hitters - Misbah, Boucher, and White. But we have to keep trying. Sometimes it is not only about the combinations, but also a question of performances. We can try as many things as we want, and probably we will, but it also about the guys clicking as a team," he said.

He mentioned that losing wickets at regular intervals actually meant his team could never really accelerate. The Royal Challengers were finally restricted to 143 for eight at the end of their stipulated twenty overs.

Dravid admitted that batting has been an area of concern. "I agree that (batting) is something we have been struggling with. We have not been able to strike a batting combination. We have tried many people as openers too," he said.

He emphasized that that if openers do their job well, the team can continue to pick up on the momentum and perform well.

"It is not that we don't have good openers. If the openers perform well, they set the tone of the game. Sides with good openers, who are setting the tone upfront are doing well in the tournament," he stated.

Appreciating the knock played by Shaun Marsh, the Kings XI's Australian import, Dravid said, "Shaun is in form and playing well. We'll certainly get to see more of him in the future,".

Bangalore will next clash against table toppers Rajasthan Royals on May 17 at Jaipur. Looking ahead to the next match, Dravid said, "We will be playing Jaipur soon. They are the leading team. It will be good to have a good game against them," .