We still need to do a bit to make the play-offs: Smith

A few days before Friday night’s victory over KXIP, RR had beaten defending champion and this edition’s in-form team, Mumbai Indians, by eight wickets.

“The season has ebbed and flowed, yes. Would have been nice to have a couple of wins in the middle. We still need to do a bit to make the playoffs, and we need things to go our way,” Smith said.

“Having said that, if that happens, we are playing very good cricket,” he added. The Australian run-machine was a happy man after his side notched up back-to-back wins but said it still has a job at hand as it faces Kolkata Knight Riders in its final league match. On Sanju Samson’s run-out on 48 against KXIP, Smith said, “It was unfortunate, but you take positives from every situation. It gave Jos (Buttler) a chance to bat after a five-day break. He hit them well so this is a good sign.

“Sanju started the tournament really well, then in the middle couldn’t get going, but that is T20 cricket. You have got to keep trusting the process.”

Ben Stokes was the star performer for the team as he smashed a breezy 50 and also claimed two wickets.

On the star England all-rounder, Smith said, “Ben is a class player, plays proper shots, hits balls in weird areas, and did a job with the ball too. One of the best in the world.”