“It’s important to understand that in a tournament like the IPL, it’s a marathon; you’re not going to win every game. But if the team keeps showing character, keeps fighting, that’s how you excel,” Karthik said.

He noted the challenging batting conditions on the pitch and regarded the team’s total as a commendable effort. “I felt the pitch was not that easy to bat on. It wasn’t really coming on, and Dev’s dismissal just showed that the pitch was sticking. In spite of all the challenges that we had, to get to the score that we did was a wonderful effort.”

Karthik specially praised Rajat Patidar for both his shot-making ability and temperament. “Rajat Patidar was special. It’s great to see him play so well, not just in terms of shot-making but also in understanding the situation of the game. The way he made sure he was there almost right till the end shows his character. We are very happy as a group to see how well he reacted to that tough situation.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of Impact Player Venkatesh Iyer and Romario Shepherd. “Venkatesh Iyer wasn’t originally slotted in to bat, but he was told late that he might need to step in. For him to grab his opportunity with both hands and make an impact was wonderful. I’m sure he’s going to have a bright season whenever he gets the opportunity. Shepherd also batted nicely. I’m sure he would have wanted more, but it was good to see him bat the way he did.”

Regarding the bowling performance, Karthik praised the team’s effort to remain competitive despite Rajasthan Royals’ strong start. “We got an early wicket in Jaiswal, which set the tone. It’s great to have Josh Hazlewood back, and as always, he got his job done in the first over.”

“But as it happens in the IPL, there was an extraordinary knock, and they batted beautifully. Still, to take the game that deep after the start they had tells you the character in this team.”

Karthik also commended the captain Krunal Pandya for his leadership under pressure. “He’s a fighter. In clutch situations, he brings out strong performances. He thought out of the box, set interesting fields, and showed how to bowl under pressure.”

Expressing gratitude to the supporters, Karthik said, “It’s amazing to come to Guwahati and still see so much support. There were so many people backing us. It’s a great feeling. Yes, the result didn’t go our way, but we tried our best and did everything possible to make it a good match.”

Looking ahead, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will prepare for their next fixture against Mumbai Indians at Mumbai. “Mumbai is a great venue to bat. It’s a full house and one of the better grounds in terms of history. I’m sure it’ll be a great match, and we’ll put our best foot forward to cross the line.”