\u201cWe\u2019ve been flying, winning games, everyone\u2019s happy, the environment is great. But you\u2019re not going to go through the IPL without losing a game,\u201d Hopes told the media post the six-wicket defeat while defending a 222-run total.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow it\u2019s about regrouping. We\u2019ve got a few days before we play GT (Gujarat Titans), so it\u2019s about getting back to work, training well, ironing out a few chinks, and figuring out the best combinations for the conditions and opposition ahead,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
PBKS bowlers have conceded five 200-plus scores and a 195 against the Mumbai Indians (MI)out of their seven completed matches so far this season. The team\u2019s economy rate is 10.50 \u2013 second-worst after MI\u2019s 10.52. However, Hopes said the conditions this season have been hard for the bowlers.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we are conceding runs. But when we\u2019ve had pitches that suit us, we\u2019ve been just fine. I\u2019m not saying this wicket didn\u2019t suit our bowling attack; I\u2019m just saying it was very good \u2013 flat, and the ball was flying around,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are things we can tidy up, but with the way the game is played now, especially in the first six overs, it\u2019s hard for fast bowlers,\u201d Hopes added.<\/p>\n
The Australian was glad to have Lockie Ferguson, who joined the squad late due to paternity leave, back in the mix. Although Ferguson conceded 57 runs in his four overs, Hopes didn\u2019t look too deeply into it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also good to see Lockie Ferguson get into the tournament. It may not have been his night, but he was always going to play at some point,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just come back, was with us in Delhi, and was ready to go. He\u2019s coming off the World Cup and a short series against South Africa,\u201d Hopes said.<\/p>\n
Royals\u2019 head coach Kumar Sangakkara was all praise for Shubham Dubey (31 not out off 12 balls) and Donovan Ferreira (52 not out off 26 balls), who helped the team finish the chase with four balls to spare.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought Dubey, coming in as an Impact Sub, did a fantastic job. It\u2019s one of the hardest things to do because you don\u2019t know if you\u2019re playing or not. Mentally, that takes a lot of skill to stay ready, come in at a tough stage, and take the game forward. Donovan was outstanding,\u201d Sangakkara, who is also Director of Cricket at RR, said.<\/p>\n
He also acknowledged fast bowler Brijesh Sharma\u2019s spell, who conceded just 18 in his first three overs before Marcus Stoinis hit him for 24 in the final over of the innings. \u201cBrijesh\u2019s numbers through the middle overs have been among the best on our side. For someone who hasn\u2019t even played First-Class cricket, his awareness is outstanding, and that\u2019s what you have to trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder pressure, experience becomes important, and you grow with it. But more than anything, you need clarity and not to overthink what could happen. Stoinis put him under pressure in that last over, but Brijesh, along with Yash Punja and Ravindra Jadeja, on a wicket like this, were outstanding,\u201d Sangakkara said.<\/p>\n
Published on Apr 29, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n