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Our total was not enough, says Tendulkar

Johannesburg: Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said batsmen need to put up a good total if Mumbai Indians is to win matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after going down by nine wickets to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Mumbai Indians recovered from a shaky start thanks to half-centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya and Dwayne Bravo that saw it post 149 for four in its 20 overs. In reply, Jacques Kallis (69) and Robin Uthappa (66) helped Royal Challengers Bangalore cruise to a nine-wicket victory with 11 balls to spare.

Talking at the post-match ceremony, Tendulkar felt they didn’t score enough. “Probably 150 was not enough,” he said. “We need to put up a good total and play better cricket.”

He felt his team was not being consistent and urged the boys to lift themselves. “We won one and lost one. It seems to be becoming a trend. We have to lift ourselves,” he said after the defeat that pushed it to sixth in the table with seven points from seven matches.

Kumble happy

Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Anil Kumble praised the bowling performance of Dillon du Preez, who picked up three wickets for 32 runs including the one of Tendulkar. “Preez picking up those wickets early on was crucial,” he said.

“Kallis and Uthappa then batted very well to see the team through,” said the leg-spinner, who now has guided the team to back-to-back triumphs ever since taking over the captain’s armband from Kevin Pietersen, who is on England duty.

Kumble felt belief in one another helped them script the turnaround that sees them at fourth place with eight points from eight encounters.

“We needed to believe in ourselves. The win against Kolkata Knight Riders gave us a boost and then we won against Kings XI Punjab.” — PTI

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