Flexible batting line-up didn't work for RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore's KL Rahul, who top-scored in a losing cause in their previous Indian Premier League game, said Mumbai Indians benefitted as the pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bangalore, had eased out in the second half.

IPL PHOTOS: Mumbai Indians ease past RCB to stay in the hunt

Mumbai Indians relied on a late assault from Kieron Pollard and Jos Buttler to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets in their crucial IPL match and keep their hopes of a play-offs berth alive on Wednesday night.

"Having lost Virat and Chris early, we had to change the batting strategy. The wicket was a bit slower on the side and it was not easy to go there and start hitting straight away. We discussed in the middle to stick on and build a partnership, and may be after 10 overs decide on a target. Unfortunately, AB (de Villiers) got out, but we were happy to have posted 150 odd runs. Obviously, in the second half, the wicket became a little bit easy for batting," Rahul said.
Rahul said he donned the role of an opener when he walked out to bat as Kohli and Gayle were dismissed early.

Moreover, the team had stressed on flexible batting line-up, which did not click due to the bad start, he added.

"That was the plan, and that's what we discussed in the team meeting, to be flexible. Unfortunately, we lost Chris and Virat early, and it wasn't in any way a good start for the team, but I played the role of an opener when I went in to bat early on," he said.

Asked about Gayle, who is struggling for form at the moment, Rahul said, "In this game, we decided on Chris to open the innings as he is a dangerous batsman, and we all know that. If he fires he can get us 250 runs on any wicket and any ground. But that doesn't happen as always."