IPL 2018: 'We lost because of our batting,' says Rajasthan skipper Rahane

Rajasthan locked horns with Dinesh Karthik-led side yesterday at Eden Gardens and lost by six wickets to be placed at number four in the IPL league table.

Upset with the loss, skipper Ajinkya Rahane slammed the batting line-up and said they failed to make it because of their batting.

"We lost because of our batting, even in the tournament we did not bat that well. Except Jos Buttler... his consistency was good to see. So many things the boys can learn from him. We thought 175-180 was a par score on this wicket," Rahane said.

Openers Rahul Tripathi and Jos Buttler gave Rajasthan a magnificent start but the downline failed to capitalise the start and succumbed to Kolkata's bowling attack.

"The thing is, start which we got with Rahul Tripathi and Jos Buttler that was magnificient... but I feel after that we did not get any partnership. It's not about any individual," Rahane said. 

"We lost because we did not apply ourselves in the middle and we needed to get a partnership going, especially when you get a start like that you have to back yourself. (You need) to apply your mind even in T20 cricket," he added.

However, Rahane still believes his team can make it to the play-offs.

"We have to believe in ourselves. It's not about hoping but believing in your ability. Anything can happen in cricket, we all know that. It's a funny game. We have to learn from our mistake, we have just one league game left, if we can learn from this game and stay positive... we were too positive with our batting tonight but that's the way it goes."

Rahane was sent back to the pavilion after being clean-bowled by Kuldeep Yadav for just 11 runs.

Yadav bowled a fantastic spell and took four wickets to end Rajasthan's inning for mere 142 runs.