Team is frustrated: Ali

After slumping to their sixth successive defeat in this edition of the IPL, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s all-rounder Moeen Ali admitted that there was a feeling of “frustration” in the dressing room and conceded that they needed a “miracle” from here to make the play-offs.

The Virat Kohli-led Bangalore, who are the only side yet to register a win in the tournament, remain at the bottom of the table following their four-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals here on Sunday.

The English all-rounder, who struck a quickfire 32 off 18 balls and claimed a wicket, said: “At the moment, it is very frustrating for us, as cricketers. We are doing the right things during our training, the coaches are giving everything we need and there out on the field, we are nervous at times and may be a little bit under pressure also. The mood in the camp is fine, but just frustrating as we are making the same mistakes almost every game -- dropping catches, giving wickets away. You cannot afford to do that in the IPL and we know that we have to win all the (remaining) games. It is going to be a miracle,” he remarked.

Ali agreed that the growing frustration was leading to more of the same mistakes. “With all the frustration, it is difficult…we have a lot of young players, but also if you are going into the games, thinking you do not want to be the guy to make that mistake (then you will commit that mistake). You cannot go and afford to think like that. You have to back yourself, back your instincts. Just go out and play, enjoy the atmosphere. We are trying to do that, but not happening.”

Delhi had botched up some of their chases previously but on Sunday, led by skipper Shreyas Iyer, the visitors ensured there was no such hiccup. Of course, they lost three wickets with just six runs needed off last 18 balls but it was too little from RCB’s point of view to alter the result.

“All that we talked about was taking the responsibility,” said Kagiso Rabada who was the man of the match for his 4/21. “Who was going to take the responsibility for us. People had to step up and not leave it for anyone else. It’s been a frustrating week but I thought the way Shreyas took responsibility to almost walk off when we finished the game.”