IPL 2017: David Warner’s wicket was the turning point in SRH vs RPS, says Shardul Thakur
IPL 2017: Warner’s wicket was the turning point in SRH vs RPS, says Thakur
Shardul Thakur has had mixed season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 so far. He bowled just two overs in Rising Pune Supergiant’s (RPS) victory over defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). It was match that made headlines for Jaydev Unadkat’s hat-trick, but Shardul believes that the wicket of David Warner was the turning point of the match. On a slow pitch, Warner managed to score 40 off 34 as SRH were given a 149-run target. Yuvraj Singh too chipped in with 47 off 44, but that was not enough for SRH to get over the line. With this loss, SRH remain at the fourth place with 13 points from 12 games and are still in with a chance to make it through to the playoffs. Full Cricket Scorecard, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL 2017, Match 44
“Warner and Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh] were going strong. When Warner got out, I would say that was the turning point. Later, we also wanted Yuvi’s wicket. In the death overs, it can go either way. So, it went our way,” he said at the post-match press conference. “We all felt it was a 50-50 game when they needed 41 run from four overs and Yuvraj was still there. But, we were always on the plus because the pitch was not favouring batsmen that well. It was not a high scoring pitch. So, [in] four overs 41 was defendable. We just backed ourselves and went hard at it,” he added.
Shardul also heaped praise on RPS all-rounder Ben Stokes. “Everyone knows what he [Stokes] is capable of. He is delivering it in the middle. It was important for the team as well for him to do well. He covers up the all-rounder slot. He contributes both with the bat and the ball. His role play is important for the team. By far, he has clicked and won us many games,” Shardul said.
SRH fast bowler Siddharth Kaul believes that the RPS’ bowling in the death tilted the match in their favour. “They bowled really well in the last overs. The wicket was helping them in the second innings,” he said. Kaul is however happy with the way he is bowling. “It’s really going well. I am executing really well the plans for the team whenever situation demands and whatever the captain needed, I am trying to do that,” Kaul said.