Bengaluru, Apr 16: After his side's sixth defeat in seven matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower confessed that each of their remaining seven matches will have to be treated like a semifinal.
In the latest setback to their playoff aspirations, RCB went down by 25 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Monday.
“It is obviously knockout time and every game is like a semifinal for us now. But we will have to think that we will come back stronger,” Flower said on RCB Game Day.
RCB conceded the highest-ever IPL total – 287 for three – as the Hyderabad batters went on a merry ride against their directionless bowlers.
Flower admitted that it was a tough night for his side.
“It was a really tough night in the field, of course, as they finished so powerfully that it probably took the wind out of our souls,” he said.
However, Flower found shards of positives during RCB’s chase such as Dinesh Karthik’s superlative 83 off 35 balls and skipper Faf Du Plessis’ 28-ball 62.
The Zimbabwean wanted to build on them in the coming matches.
“I am really proud of the way we fought with the bat out there in the middle. We lost the game but I was really proud of the way we fought,” said Flower.
The former England coach lauded Karthik for the way he took on SRH bowlers, and said it would not be surprising if the wicketkeeper batter made it to India’s T20 World Cup squad.
“Dinesh Karthik is really making a push for the World Cup team (of India) as well and is only getting better on the field,” he added.
RCB will next face Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 21.
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Raichur: The priest of the Ambabhavani Temple in Athkur village has been accused of stopping Dalit youngsters from entering the temple for a ritual related the Navaratri festival, although related parties, including the priest and Dalit leaders of the village, have denied knowledge about the incident.
A video of the youngsters, belonging to the Madiga community, who wanted to wear the ritual garlands for the festive period, being denied entry into the temple and the priest handing them the garlands keeping them outside the threshold has gone viral on social media platforms.
Yapaladinni Police officers, however, have said no police complaint about the matter has been filed so far. In addition, Dalit leaders in Athkur have said no such incident has occurred in the village, but the police officers are conducting an inquiry since youngsters have alleged that they were denied entry into the temple.
The temple priest has also refuted the charges against him, clarifying that action will be taken if a complaint is filed.