Published: Apr 08, 2013, 10:11 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 08, 2013, 10:11 AM (IST)
Muttiah Muralitharan finished with figures of one for 18 in his four overs in the match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday © AFP
Hyderabad: Apr 8, 2013
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who represents Royal Challengers Bangalore in the current edition of the Indian Premier League, said that the defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the super-over on Sunday could have gone either way.
“It was a fifty-fifty game. Both teams could have won. Actually we thought if we could restrict SRH to less than 15 runs, we had a good chance because we had the likes of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli who could chase it down. It was going to be tough to get twenty in one over,” he said, in an interview with iplt20.com
Murali also defended Vinay Kumar, who bowled the super over for the Bangalore side.
“Vinay bowled really well. He had picked up a wicket in his four overs previously with a good economy. Unfortunate that he bowled a no-ball in the very first delivery of the one over eliminator. But that is how it goes, you have to put it behind and look forward.”
Despite the loss, Murali felt that his side can take a lot of positives from the game.
“I think we bowled really well to restrict them to 130. As such 140 or 150 is a par score here according to me. We bowled well and picked wickets regularly, but unfortunately it went to a tie and they got the better of us in the one over eliminator. They won the match, they got the results and we can only look forward from here.”
Muralitharan also praised Australian Moises Henriques who scored 44 off 40 deliveries and picked up two wickets.
“I think Henriques played really well and his bowling also came to the fore in this game. He is a big addition for us in the team. AB de Villers is on the way and our team will only get stronger in the games to come.”
When asked about what keeps the 40-year-old man still hooked to the game and enthusiastic about the format, Muralitharan said, “I enjoy my cricket and want to continue giving my best.”
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