Vijay Hazare Trophy | Knockouts is about handling pressure and we should have done that: TN skipper Sai Kishore

Beaten: Tamil Nadu batters fell flat while chasing 268 against Rajasthan in the pre-quarterfinals.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Tamil Nadu skipper R. Sai Kishore conceded that his team failed to grab its chances after going down to Rajasthan in the pre-quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Thursday.

The exit marked a disappointing campaign for the southern side in white-ball cricket. Earlier, the team failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 tournament.

TN is considered a powerhouse in limited-overs cricket but has not won a title since its 2021-22 Mushtaq Ali triumph.

“The way we started, it was a good bowling performance to restrict them to 267. It could have been chased. Knockouts is about handling pressure, and with the kind of experience we have, we should have done that,” said Sai Kishore.

“Credit to Rajasthan for bowling well and putting us under pressure. There were a few soft dismissals. The game was in our hands, and we should have finished it,” he added.

The captain also stressed that for the players to get to the next level, the team has to win trophies.

“Many of us are playing at the next level because we have won tournaments. So, anything less than that is a failure. We have a lot of IPL players aspiring to play for the country, and for that, we have to win.”

Meanwhile, head coach L. Balaji rued that his bowlers conceded a lot of extras in the game (17 wides and three no-balls). “In a match, momentum will shift here and there, but things like wides are in our control. We could have done better there,” said Balaji.

With the Ranji Trophy set to resume in a fortnight, the former India pacer hopes the players can put their best foot forward in the final phase of the domestic season. TN has 19 points from five games and is on top of Group D.

“We have to learn certain things and take the positives but also look to narrow the gap between mistakes. I am looking forward to red-ball cricket, where we have a very good chance,” he added.