James Hopes rues dropped catches in DC's defeat against RCB

It was a night to forget for Delhi Capitals (DC) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, as they succumbed to a massive 47-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to put their chances of making the playoffs in jeopardy. The fact that they dropped plenty of catches did not help their cause, as they gave away another 25-30 runs extra, which cost them.

DC bowling coach James Hopes believes that proved to be the difference in the end.

"I think they got a few too many. We dropped four catches. We take those catches and we probably restrict them to 160-165, which could have been the difference in the end," Hopes said in the post-match press conference.

"But saying that, when you go out there and field like that and don't put it together with the bat, you are not going to win too many games in the tournament."

The fact that two of DC's batters were run out also didn't help their cause. Jake Fraser-McGurk (21) had gotten off to a superb start before the ball ricocheted off bowler Yash Dayal's hand back onto the stumps with the batter short of his crease. Tristan Stubbs, too, was run out, thanks to a brilliant throw by Cameron Green.

Losing these two batters in pursuit of 188 was a massive letdown for DC, which Hopes acknowledged.

"We made plenty of mistakes tonight. Two really good T20 batters getting run-out. One of course under unfortunate circumstances when he got off to another quick start. Stubbsy who is up there with the best finishers in the tournament this year, getting run-out the way he did hamstrung us a little bit and we never really recovered from that," Hopes said.

DC take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their last group stage game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, and Hopes is aware that they have to win by a big margin to have any chance of making it through to the playoffs. 

Hopes feels that the fact they will play at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is a big positive.

"We have to win and we have to win big. Fortunately we are going back to Delhi where big scores have been the norm this season. So, it's up to us to put a big score on the board and keep them a fair way below us to have any chance to advance. 

"Today was our chance to really get in the mix to play good play cricket but we've left it up to fate, which you really don't want to do in this tournament," the former Australia all-rounder said.

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