IPL 2025
Shane Bond emphasizes the need for continuous effort from bowlers every day © Sportzpics
After only two wins out of nine matches, the Rajasthan Royals find themselves near the bottom of the points table ahead of their third game of the season in Jaipur. While there’s still a chance for playoff qualification, bowling coach Shane Bond feels the team’s chances are slim. Nonetheless, he encourages the players to focus on their performances in the remaining five league games.
The Royals’ recent struggles include three consecutive losses, in which they fell short during critical moments. Bond acknowledged that while the team is hurting, they remain committed to fighting for the remainder of the season, starting with a match against the Gujarat Titans.
“We’ve performed well for the majority of our games,” Bond remarked. “But we need to credit our opponents for stepping up in crucial moments. It hurts to see where we could have been in the standings based on our performance,” he added.
This season has presented multiple challenges for the Royals, especially with captain Sanju Samson missing due to injuries. His absence has placed additional pressure on young players like Riyan Parag and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, resulting in inconsistent batting performances.
Despite being effective during the PowerPlay, the Royals have struggled to chase targets, particularly in the middle and death overs. Their bowling unit also faces issues, as they rank poorly in economy and strike rates among spin bowlers. Bond defended the bowlers, attributing their struggles to missed opportunities by the batsmen.
A loss against the Titans could mathematically eliminate the Royals from playoff contention. However, a win would keep their hopes alive and add excitement to the tournament. Bond believes the team has sufficient motivation to give their best in the remaining matches, stating, “We recognize that it’s time to finish strong despite the challenges faced this season.”
