Didnt have a great start in previous editions too: Kumble

Mon, Mar 15 2010 (CricBuzz) - The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, Anil Kumble, was not happy with his batsmen after their opening match loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kumble led the team to the finals of the 2009 Indian Premier League, but their campaign in 2010 got off to a rocky start as the loss of early wickets meant they could manage only a sub-par 135, with only Jacques Kallis standing tall with 65 not out.

"It was a slow wicket and we always knew it would be that way, but it was a lot slower than we expected," said Kumble.

"We just didn't have enough runs on the board, 150-160 would have been competitive. We lost too many wickets up front and we just couldn't get any momentum from there on. Probably that cost us the game. We lost three wickets as well inside six overs. (Jacques) Kallis and (Rahul) Dravid were putting together a partnership but after Dravid got out, we just lost the momentum."

Kumble was all praise for Kallis though. He said: "He batted really well to get us to 135. That's the game he plays. We don't want to change the way he plays. He was brilliant with the bat."

He rued his team's bowling effort too where there were no early wickets while defending a low total.

"A total of 135 was not the best score on this pitch. We had to really bowl well and get some early wickets. That did not happen. That probably helped the Knight Riders get away with the game. I don't like to give excuses, we played poor cricket," he added.

However, Kumble believes his team will bounce back.

"This hasn't been the greatest of starts, but we didn't have a great start in either of the previous editions," he said.

"I think it's all about winning on that day, but today was very disappointing. Our next match comes up in Bangalore in a couple of days' time and hopefully we can start winning from there."

Meanwhile, Kolkata coach Dav Whatmore singled out Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews for special praise for his 4/19.

"He is a little gem, he's got an abundance of potential and talent and I can see him rising very high for his country Sri Lanka," Whatmore said.

"He's very clever, an incredible thinker and his ability with the ball belies his age, he's only 22. Importantly, he has got the confidence to apply all these tactics with the ball."