'You either fear it.... or become a superstar': Shane Bond’s blunt message to bowlers after loss to GT

Shane Bond has admitted that Rajasthan Royals were simply “not good enough” after another disappointing home defeat, this time against Gujarat Titans, while also stressing that modern-day bowlers must continue evolving in an increasingly batter-dominated T20 era.

RR’s struggles in Jaipur continued as they suffered their seventh defeat in their last eight matches at the venue dating back to last season. Gujarat Titans’ opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dominated the Royals’ bowling attack and powered GT to another massive 220-plus total, leaving RR with an uphill chase that eventually ended in a heavy defeat.

Speaking after the match, Bond admitted the Royals lacked sharpness after a hectic stretch of fixtures and failed to rise to the occasion in a crucial game for their playoff hopes.

"It was a disappointing performance from us. This was a really big game for us, with both games on the same points. Have not seen the table in terms of net run-rate, but we will have to win two of our last three or maybe all three to make it through the playoffs. The five games we had every three days, I think we were pretty banged up after that. We were not quite as sharp," he said.

Bond also acknowledged the struggles of Shimron Hetmyer, who has endured a disappointing IPL season despite arriving in strong form after an impressive T20 World Cup campaign.

"Hettie (Hetmyer) would be first one to admit that he did not get the runs that he would have liked. But that is the nature of the game. Across the board, we were not good enough, 230 was going to a big challenge. We misread the surface a little bit and then you had Rashid Khan who makes things tough for you on such surfaces," he added.

The Royals bowling coach further pointed out how difficult life has become for bowlers in modern T20 cricket, with batters constantly innovating and expanding their range of shots.

"The batters are playing the upper cuts, reverses and scoops. They have developed their shots. Bowlers have to develop their skills as well. For them, it is an opportunity to be like: 'I can do that, I can elevate myself into a lot of money and be a superstar'. But we have not seen that consistenly across the board. It is not easy for bowlers. But either you fear what is going on, or just see it as an opportunity to do better and put your name in the lights, especially if you are an Indian," he added.

In the match itself, GT piled up 229/4 after being put in to bat. Sai Sudharsan scored 55 while captain Shubman Gill hammered a stunning 84 off 44 balls. Washington Sundar then provided a strong finish with an unbeaten 37 off 20 balls.