By Robert 
Despite suffering two back-to-back heartbreaking defeats, Rajasthan Royals’ spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule insists there is no panic in the camp. The Royals have found themselves on the wrong end of close finishes twice in just over three days — first losing to Delhi Capitals in a Super Over, and then falling short by just two runs against Lucknow Super Giants, failing to chase nine runs in the final over on both occasions.
These missed opportunities have cost RR four crucial points in the IPL 2025 league stage, leaving them at eighth on the points table with only two wins from eight matches. However, with nearly half the season still to go, Bahutule remains optimistic.
“To be honest, we’ve been playing good cricket,” Bahutule said after the defeat to LSG in Jaipur on Saturday. “It’s just that the results haven’t gone our way. In the dugout, there’s a lot of calmness, especially with Rahul (Dravid) around. Everyone in there has played enough cricket to know that panicking doesn’t help.”
Reflecting on the loss to LSG, Bahutule praised Avesh Khan’s composure under pressure. “We were in a good position, and ideally could’ve finished the game a couple of overs earlier. But Avesh bowled a brilliant final over. Still, we’re composed and focused on the next game.”
He also defended Sandeep Sharma, who came under fire after conceding 27 runs in the final over of LSG’s innings, including four sixes by Abdul Samad. Sharma also struggled in the Super Over against DC, where he was surprisingly chosen over big names like Jofra Archer and Wanindu Hasaranga.
“Every bowler has one of those days,” Bahutule said. “You can’t take anything away from Sandeep. He’s a fabulous bowler who’s delivered in tough moments for us before. Yes, those 20 extra runs might’ve made a difference, but we still should’ve chased that total. It’s a team game — no one player wins or loses it.”
Highlighting Sharma’s overall contributions, he added, “In the previous game, he bowled two overs for just 5 and 7 runs. People forget those and focus on one bad over. He gives 100% every time and has the full backing of the team.”
Addressing speculation of discord within the camp, Bahutule firmly denied any miscommunication. “The clarity among players, coaches, and support staff is the best I’ve seen. Rahul is crystal clear with plans. The players are aligned — the execution just didn’t come off in those last moments. We were in control for the majority of both games.”
He concluded with a positive outlook: “It’s a young team. They’re hurting, yes — but they’ll learn. We’ve been in winning positions and just need to cross that finishing line. We’re playing good cricket, and the results will come.”