We are running out of time: Brad Hodge

Gujarat Lions slipped to their fifth defeat in seven games with the 26-run loss against Kings XI Punjab at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Ground in Rajkot on Sunday (April 23). The losses have left them at the bottom of the table and in desperate need of wins to stay in contention to make it to the play-offs.

Brad Hodge, the coach, acknowledged that they are running out of time and need to turn things around quickly. "Today is a very difficult loss for sure, especially after the spirited win in Kolkata," told media after the defeat. "There can be many excuses - just one day rest and then playing a 4pm game. You can come up with a lot of excuses but we just weren't good enough.

"We let ourselves down in all three departments - batting, bowling and fielding. This one is a tough one and we are running out of time and are playing catch-up. But if these guys do fire, we can put it up like last year."

The primary reason for Lions' dismal showing this season has been their bowling. Right from the first game, the bowlers have struggled to come to terms with the challenges thrown at them. While Andrew Tye and James Faulkner have done reasonably well, their Indian resources - Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Manpreet Gony, Shivil Kaushik and Shahdab Jakati - have time and again come up with below par performances.

That not only has hurt the team's chances but also has left them searching for the perfect combination. "Our bowling has let us down for sure," Hodge pointed out. "We brought in Nathu Singh and he bowled two good overs. For some reasons he didn't take the field for the last two overs and that hurt us as well. A couple of guys just weren't there. The bowlers need to step up.

"There's no lack of effort from the players or the coaching staff, we work hard and we just need to take that hardwork to the field. Hopefully we do that soon because we are starting to get a bit desperate."

After losses in the first two games, the think-tank had pinned their hopes on the return of Ravindra Jadeja to lift the side. However, the all-rounder hasn't set the stage on fire and has leaked runs from one end. Jadeja has picked just two wickets and has given out runs at 9.70 runs per over in addition to his 51 runs in five games so far.

"He hasn't fired for us with bat or ball," Hodge said. "He has had a huge couple of months for India and has performed as well as anyone could have. To move from that to this tournament is tough. I think he'll step up for sure. He's still finding his feet and we need other players to step up on such days."

Good to end losing streak - Cariappa

King XI Punjab came into the contest with four consecutive losses. They had started the tournament well with consecutive wins in the first two games but things went pear shaped soon after. They lost against Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians but the win against Lions helped them climb to the fourth spot in the table.

KC Cariappa, the Kings XI legspinner, said the team was confident of winning the contest after getting Brendon McCullum's wicket early. "It was a great feeling after losing four matches," he said. "After we got the wickets of McCullum and Finch early, we were confident we can get them all out. Their main batsmen were gone very early. The first ten overs were really good."