To defend their Indian Premier League title, Rajasthan Royals had weapons like lethal bowling, athletic fielding and super strategies but pathetic batting poured cold water on their aspirations, according to their dejected skipper Shane Warne.
"While defending we gave absolutely everything we had and showed the real fighting power we have. It is disappointing as defending champions for not making it into the semi finals.
"I think our bowling was good as any team, probably the best in the IPL. Our field setting and tactics was as good as anyone but unfortunately our batsmen just didn't fire. We were always under pressure after the first six overs as we lost our top order regularly. At the end of the day that probably cost us," the legendary leg-spinner said.
The defending champions crashed out of the IPL-II after failing to defend a modest 101 against Kolkata Knight Riders, last night.
"It is hugely disappointing for us. I think we had our chances but we were just not good enough at times. To have to win your last game like that, and we had only 100 on the board was really disappointing," Warne was quoted as saying by the IPL website.
Warne was unhappy with the failure of top-order and youngsters who failed to grab the opportunities.
"Last year we had two-three guys who were performing at the top. We obviously had Shane Watson and Smith, then there were Swapnil Asnodkar, Yusuf Pathan and Ravinder Jadeja.
"Unfortunately Yusuf has been a little bit inconsistent, Jadeja has matured well and he is one of the guys who held his head high. We tried few others like- Abhishek Raut but they failed to grab their chance," he said.
"We have bowled well and caught some unbelievable catches and then there were times when we did the unbelievable by staying in the game. So, overall in conclusion, no one really grabbed their opportunities," he added.
Warne though lavished praised on his bowlers, who he said did a tremendous job.
"I think Munaf Patel has been fantastic and Amit Singh was good. J Botha has been outstanding. All our bowlers have been really good. I don't think I have any complaints with the bowling," he said.