We could have bowled better: Nehra

After Royal Challengers Bangalore blew up their bleak qualification chances with a 16-run defeat to Delhi Capitals, coach Ashish Nehra felt they could have bowled better. It was RCB’s eight defeat in 12 matches, with poor bowling at death costing them dear.

“We could have bowled better,” Nehra admitted. “This was an easier wicket to bowl on, especially when they were five down. Navdeep Saini and Umesh gave 36 runs, too many, in the last two overs. Anything more than 160 batting second is always tougher on this wicket.

“I think in bowling department we had enough resources but as a fast bowling unit we never had a complete game. Sometimes we bowled well for 15-17 overs but were not good at death. Sometimes we were not good upfront in the Power Play. Fast bowlers could have done much better considering the experience they have.

“Batting unit also could have done well and win us one or two games. As a team we should have got our basics right, first half we lost all six, still made a great comeback but we dropped plenty of catches in that half also.”

The former left-arm pacer conceded their bowlers have struggled to handle the match pressure, including Umesh Yadav. “He (Umesh) is short of confidence, he is not part of international cricket for sometime, not part of World Cup, so it is not easy for any cricketer to take that. That definitely is playing on his mind. He is a very good bowler with new ball. He was doing that last year. He is not at his best and he knows that.

“They (bowlers) are not less on skill -- Md Siraj, Umesh, Saini -- but mentally they have lacked this season. They bowl well at the nets, but not in the match.”

Meanwhile, senior leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who took 2/29, called it a big achievement for Delhi, who qualified for the play-offs for the first time in seven years.

“I am with the team for three years. So it is a very good feeling. Dada (Sourav Ganguly) and Ricky (Ponting) are both aggressive, but are calmly handling the team which is very important. They have created a good combination and atmosphere,” he said,

“I was bowling well for the last two-three matches but today went aggressively for wickets. On such a pitch and small ground, 170 plus score always creates pressure on the other team. So those runs (in death) were very important for us.”