Published: May 20, 2013, 06:32 PM (IST)
Edited: May 20, 2013, 06:32 PM (IST)
Shikhar Dhawan missed the first half of the Indian Premier League 2013 due to a finger injury © PTI
Hyderabad: May 20, 2013
Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Shikhar Dhawan said they key their success so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 has been their teamwork. Sunrisers qualified for the playoffs of the tournament after beating the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by five wickets on Sunday.
The left-handed opener played a crucial knock as he struck a 35-ball 42 to guide the team through. “It is a great feeling to be in the knockouts. It is our first year and we have made it to the playoffs when not many gave us a chance. At the moment, it is amazing to see our name in the top four,” Dhawan told IPLT20.com.
Many had written off the newly formed franchise before the season even began. But they have knocked out pre-tournament favourites Royal Challengers Bangalore. They will now face Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator.
Dhawan credited the entire team for their achievement. “I believe the reason we have succeeded as a group is because this team is not about any individual. We all gel together and enjoy each other’s success. We stuck to our plans, executed them well and played good cricket.”
Although their batting has not clicked in a major way in the tournament so far, the Sunrisers are considered to have one of the strongest bowling attacks in the competition. In the last match of the group stage, they restricted KKR to just 130/7.
“We have a lethal bowling attack with Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma adding firepower in the beginning and at the death; and we have quality spinners like Amit Mishra and Karan Sharma, who thrive in pairs in the mid-innings. We have a similar logic with respect to our batting too,” said Dhawan.
They looked like they were shooting themselves in the foot in the run chase, but West Indies captain Darren Sammy hit Iqbal Abdullah for consecutive sixes to seal off a nervy match in the 19th over.
Dhawan though wasn’t too bothered by the batting display as he praised his opening stand, worth 89 runs, with Parthiv Patel, who scored a 37-ball 47.
“I feel it was a great opening partnership between me and Parthiv. We got off to a good start and did the job for our team. Also, hats off to Darren Sammy who held his nerve to finish the game for us,” Dhawan said.
Dhawan was also pleased with his own form leading up to the playoffs, especially coming back after an injury. “I joined the team a bit late due to my injury but was eager to start playing.
“I have been consistent in the tournament and I am really happy with my performance this year. I would love to continue this form in the playoffs,” he said.
“It is a very big win for us. We have done it and it is a big achievement for us to deliver such a good performance in our very first year. We will savour this win for the moment and get ready for the Playoffs,” concluded Dhawan.
