Dubai: After suffering a seven-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Rajasthan Royals skipper Steve Smith feels that the side has to win their remaining five games to qualify for the play-offs in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I think we need to win our last five games to get to the play-offs. I think we are doing a lot of things pretty well and maybe just doing that for a little bit longer and backing ourselves in difficult situations. I think that is going to be important for us," Smith said in the post-match press conference.
When asked about the reason behind sending Robin Uthappa, who scored 41 off 22, in the opening Smith replied, "We wanted to have more experience in the middle with Jos. Jos is an amazing opener but he is also one of the best at the back end. Just give us more balance to the side. Robin has done a lot of opening and I thought he played particularly well this after as well. He got the team off to a good start and that was the reason behind it."
"I think different opposition and different wickets will perhaps vary the (batting) order. I was quite happy with the order this afternoon," he added.
Smith's 57 runs from 36 balls guided RR to 177/6 in their 20 overs. Chris Morris returned with the figures of 4-26 in his four overs.
AB de Villiers' 55 off 22 balls guided RCB to a seven-wicket win in the last over of the innings.