Published: May 06, 2017, 10:03 PM (IST)
Edited: May 06, 2017, 10:03 PM (IST)
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) captain Steven Smith was over the moon as his side registered their fourth straight win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, with a 12-run win over defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday. Smith heaped praise on his bowlers, especially Jaydev Unadkat, saying that the fast bowler deserved a hat-trick. Smith acknowledged that RPS’ score of 148 was below par, but his bowlers scraped through and gave RPS a confidence-boosting win. This is the first time SRH have lost an IPL 2017 match at home. With this win RPS are joint top with 16 points in 12 matches, but have played two matches more than MI, who are at the top. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rising Pune Supergiant – Match 44
“(It was a) Very good win. The boys scrapped incredibly well. It was a tough wicket to get going on. We thought 148 was a bit below par. We thought 165 was about par, but the boys scrapped hard. The stronger boys could time the ball better on that and get the most out of it. We did well to scrap to 148,” Smith said after the match. Talking about the effort of Unadkat and the other bowlers, Smith said, “The bowlers did a terrific job. The lengths they bowled was outstanding and how we used the long boundaries on one side was crucial. He [Unadkat] is doing nicely and is bowling well upfront. Taking key wickets there as well and deserved to get his hat-trick. Magnificent effort.”
RPS do not play till May 12 now. Smith reckons that his side must look back at how terrific they have been in the last 7 to 8 matches. “We have played really well in the last 7-8 games. We have been on a good little run. We don’t play for some time and it is time to unwind, look at what we have done and come back,” RPS skipper said.
