Opposition could take us lightly only at their peril: Rahul Dravid

With their campaign back on track, Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid said that opposition could take his team lightly only at their peril. “We have shown that we are a team to be taken seriously, even though not many had given us much of a chance,” insisted the veteran.

According to a report in The Times Of India, Rajasthan are now fifth on the table with 10 points from 11 games, and Dravid is optimistic about his team making it to the playoffs. “We are happy with the underdogs tag. We have been playing good cricket, barring in the previous game against Delhi. In every game we have been competitive. Had we got across the line in the two matches we lost off the last ball against Chennai and Delhi, we would have been comfortably placed. Anyhow, with five games to go, I hope we can get on a roll and win a couple of games on the road. If you lose a game here on, it will become difficult. Hopefully, we will keep up the good work and qualify for the eliminators.”

According to a report in The Tribune, David Hussey, the stand-in captain of Kings XI Punjab, said during an interaction with the media after his team lost to Rajasthan Royals yesterday.

The over-confidence gained by their last win against Royal Challengers Bangalore made the team suffer a 43-run defeat against Rajasthan Royals, he said. “The defeat was not expected at the home ground in Mohali. But Kings XI Punjab players were yet to get over their four-wicket win over RCB in Bangalore,” he said.

"The players did not switch off well. I think we were still celebrating the win against Bangalore. The players got carried away. The pitch was good for the run chase, but we failed to do it successfully,” said Hussey.

Meanwhile Morne Morkel feels he is flourishing because Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag gives him the freedom, says a report in Hindustan Times. “I hate the idea of trying to spoon-feed a cricketer as to what he needs to do in pressure situations. I have seen captains who love to dominate and direct a bowler,” the IPL’S leading bowler said. “But when you are spoon-fed, you don’t grow as a cricketer. Make mistakes and try yourself to find out the solution. That's why I like Virender Sehwag’s approach as he likes you to be your own man. Viru would never set fields for you as he believes that if I am an international bowler, I am good enough to set my own fields,” the South Africa pacer said.