Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin rued drop catches after their 60-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium, Dharamsala on Thursday. Virat Kohli, who went on to score 92 runs off just 47 balls, was dropped by Ashutosh Sharma when was yet to get off the mark. 

Furthermore, Kohli received another reprieve when Rilee Rossouw fluffed his catch when he was on 10. Moreover, Rajat Patidar was also dropped by Harshal Patel when he was on naught. Patidar made the most of his second life as he went on to score 55 runs off just 23 balls.

Kohli and Patidar added 76 runs for the third wicket and RCB was able to post 241 runs on the board after Sam Curran decided to bowl first.

“Spot on 100%, I thought if we have a look through the game where we dropped the two guys, one got a hundred (92) and one got a fifty, both on a duck and that’s where the game is won or lost simply. There wasn’t much in the batting or bowling, I think from both teams. It was just the catches we put down cost us the game,” said Haddin in the post-match press conference.

After this loss, PBKS was knocked out of the tournament and they have failed to make it to the playoffs in the last decade. The Mohali-based franchise lost a few close matches throughout the season and it led to their downfall.

“It’s disappointing when you see it but it shouldn’t be tough work to know to motivate the boys. This is one of the premier competitions in the world, it’s a great opportunity to show your skills. We just got to look at Shashank what he’s done this tournament and for players in the remaining two games, there’s an opportunity. They got to take what’s happened personally and find a way to turn the result around in future seasons on a good note,” he added.

Punjab Kings will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Wednesday.