Rajasthan Royals incurred their first loss of the season and their skipper Sanju Samson feels his bowling line-up should have defended 197, which was a par score, against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur on Wednesday.

RR had to defend 35 runs in the last two overs but Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan got Gujarat Titans over the line in a thrilling win of three wickets. Kuldeep Sen, who bagged three wickets in his opening spell, was taken for 20 runs in the penultimate over and that’s where the momentum shifted towards the visitors.

Tewatia scored a fine cameo of 11-ball 22 whereas Khan scored an unbeaten knock of 11-ball 24 to help their team bag two points. Surprisingly Samson didn’t give the ball to experienced seamer Trent Boult, who conceded only eight runs in the two overs he bowled.

Earlier in the match, Sanju Samson scored 68 off 38 balls whereas Riyan Parag continued his good form to score 76 off 48 balls. However, GT skipper Shubman Gill also scored 72 off 44 balls to keep his team in the contest.

Sanju Samson said in the post-match presentation, “I think the last ball of the game (where was the game lost?). Very hard to speak at the moment. Hardest job in the tournament when a captain loses the game and has to tell where the game was lost. When the emotions come down I’ll be able to tell clearly. Have to give credit to the Gujarat Titans. That’s the beauty of this tournament.”

He added, “Will have to learn and move on. While I was batting I thought something around 180 would’ve been a fighting score. 196 was a winning score I thought. With no dew, our bowling lineup should’ve done it. It wasn’t easy to go hard at the start of the innings. 197 at Jaipur, without dew, we’ll take it any day.”

Rajasthan Royals will next take on Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Saturday.