Cricket news - Rabada admits to 'little bit of concern' after KKR loss

After the loss against Kings XI Punjab, Kagiso Rabada asserted that it "was just a loss and not a wake-up call". However, as Delhi Capitals slipped to a massive 59-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders, the pacer was quick to acknowledge there are now some concerns going forward.

"When you lose it is a bit of a concern," he started. "We started the tournament really well and set us up really nicely. We need to win one more game. We are looking to win at least two of the three remaining games but we need one more win to get into qualifying.

"That is just how the nature of the tournament is. It's quality vs quality. Any team can rock up on the day. We've been playing some really good cricket. We just need to emphasise on what we've done really well. Just analyse where we've let the game slip away. We don't need to focus on a big area. It happens in IPL. We back ourselves all the time. We are not too worried but just a little bit of concern."

Delhi had started well after choosing to field as Kolkata slipped to 44 for 3 in eight overs. They, however, managed to make 150 runs in the last 12 overs to take the game away. Nitish Rana made 81 off 53 while Sunil Narine smashed 64 off 32. Their partnership of 115 turned the game completely and also forced Delhi on the back foot. "The pitch looked like it was easy paced and wasn't gripping much. That forced us to be on the defensive," Rabada pointed out. "Nitish Rana and Narine batted really well. They really got the runs flowing. They are quality players who are also allowed to do well. In saying that, we back ourselves to get them out on any given day. We just have to see where we might have let it slip. We just need to focus on the details.

"After the good start we had, we let it slip away a little bit. It can happen to anyone. It just wasn't our day. We weren't complacent. The teams here are of real quality and you can't take your foot off the gas. These things happen. We've played enough cricket to know where we have gone wrong."

Shreyas Iyer, however, stressed the losses at this stage will only help the team. "We are disappointed with the loss but I'm glad it's happening at this point of time because there is a lot of learning," he said. "When you go back and do your homework again, it's important that you come up with a fresh mind and see to it that your work is done precisely.

"We need to be strong in our mind and play with freedom, not have a survival mindset. They were really good in shot selections and outplayed us in all the departments. So, kudos to their approach and their mindset."

Delhi now meet Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday (October 27) in Dubai before taking on table-toppers Mumbai Indians on October 31. As the race to finish in the top two heats up, they finish their campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on November 2.