Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid did not hold back after the team’s 10-run loss to Punjab Kings, which confirmed their 10th defeat of the season. With just one game left, RR are staring at a bottom-two finish despite early promise. “There’s no point just blaming the batter. To be honest, I didn’t think it was a 220 wicket. We gave 20 runs extra,” Dravid said in the post-match press conference. While RR’s campaign began with optimism, including a stunning century by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, their season has derailed due to recurring issues in the bowling department and an unreliable lower-middle order. Dravid pointed to poor death bowling and a failure to close out games as key reasons for the slide. “It’s been five games now where the margins have really been one or two hits we just haven’t been able to find. We’re not losing too many wickets, we were five down today too, but we haven’t been able to hit those big shots,” he said. "He makes me aware when I make mistakes": Sai Sudharsan on Gill after record stand Conceding too many at the death, lack of finishers haunt Royals Across multiple games, RR’s bowling has lacked teeth at the death. Against Gujarat and Delhi, they leaked over 70 runs in the last five overs. “We’ve probably not been good enough with the ball, both at taking wickets and controlling runs. We’re chasing 200-220 every game,” Dravid admitted. With no real standout among the death bowlers, RR have struggled to apply pressure in crucial phases. However, Dravid is optimistic that the team will come back stronger next year. WATCH: Injured Shreyas Iyer masterminds PBKS field tactics from the boundary Dravid, meanwhile, offered perspective on Suryavanshi’s fluctuating performances, including a two-ball duck after his 35-ball century. “You’ve got to allow young players to go through ups and downs,” he said. With just one match to go, against Chennai Super Kings, the Royals will hope to end a tough campaign on a high and begin thinking ahead to a much-needed rebuild.