Jaydev Unadkat Praises SRH Bowlers After Victory Over RCB
Unadkat Commends Bowling Performance
Jaydev Unadkat, a pacer for Sunrisers Hyderabad, expressed his admiration for the team's bowling unit after their impressive 42-run victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday. The seasoned bowler played a pivotal role by taking the crucial wicket of Jitesh Sharma during the middle overs, which significantly hindered RCB's chase of a daunting target of 232 runs.
Unadkat noted that the bowlers were well-prepared for a high-scoring encounter and emphasized the importance of precision and variety to disrupt RCB's rhythm.
Pitch Conditions and Strategy
“This was probably one of the best batting wickets in the tournament. We anticipated similar conditions in Hyderabad, but it didn't turn out that way. We needed to break their momentum, and the key was to vary our pace,” Unadkat remarked post-match.
He acknowledged Pat Cummins for maintaining the team's composure and focus on execution throughout the match.
Cummins' Leadership and Team Performance
“The crucial aspect was Cummins' calm demeanor, and he urged us to stay tight in the field. The bowlers executed their plans effectively. It was evident that the pitch favored batting, so we had to nail our yorkers. The bowlers performed admirably,” he added.
Malinga, known for his prowess in death overs, once again showcased his skills by taking two vital wickets, while Cummins concluded with impressive figures of 3/28 in his four overs.
Cummins Reflects on Misjudged Pitch Conditions
Pat Cummins, the captain of SRH, admitted that the team initially miscalculated the pitch conditions at Ekana Stadium, thinking a total of 170 runs would be sufficient. However, Ishan Kishan's explosive innings of 94* off 48 balls propelled them to a commanding score of 231.
“It might be a bit late in the season, but we put in a solid effort with both bat and ball. Nitish is back to bowling, and Abhishek is always encouraging me to bowl. Kishan's performance helped us reach 230 instead of 200. We probably misread the wicket, thinking it was a 170 pitch...”
Looking Ahead
Despite the initial misjudgment, Cummins praised his team's overall performance and stressed the need for adaptability in a tournament like the IPL.
“Having played enough matches, you realize that anything can happen. Typically, when someone hits a six, it can either be a great shot or a poor one. [Malinga] has been a remarkable discovery this season,” he remarked.
With this win, SRH currently occupies the 8th position with 5 victories out of 13 matches. Although they have been eliminated from playoff contention, the team aims to finish the season on a high note.