Royals\u2019 openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi blazed their way to 80 runs from just five overs in the rain-shortened game. The away team never recovered from the early burst and later slid to a 27-run defeat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had some plans [for Jaiswal and Suryavanshi], but I don\u2019t think we executed those,\u201d admitted Jayawardene at the post-match press conference on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe margins are very small. These guys are practising really well. We knew the danger, especially when it is rain-curtailed, and they have the license to go up front. I think we missed our line and lengths, and they played really well,\u201d said Jayawardene.<\/p>\n
The former Sri Lankan captain also pointed out that his side could have dragged the game closer with a better performance with the bat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just needed a couple of partnerships. We lost a few early wickets and lost the momentum. If you look at the end, the difference was four sixes. It was four hits for us, [but] we just couldn\u2019t find that.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that without us getting into a rhythm or someone getting a quick 30 or 40 up top. We never thought that it was out of our reach. So, those were the margins. I think they played a really good game today. We were not good enough, and that\u2019s what we have to work on,\u201d said Jayawardene.<\/p>\n
The MI coach also added that left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was rested on Tuesday as a precaution. \u201cMitch had a little niggle when he came off during the last game. So, it was a precaution that he wasn\u2019t 100 per cent for him to play this game. But hopefully, he\u2019ll be fit for our next game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 08, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n