Something has to fail, helping opposition walk away with a victory.
Advertisement
Sunrisers Hyderabad consolidated their position at the top of the IPL 2018 standings with a five-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday.
RCB won the toss and opted to bowl. Speaking to reporters at the press conference, the New Zealand worldwide said that the “outstanding” bowling department took them over the line in a close contest. Without the much required support from fellow batsmen, all rounder Shakib al Hasan’s (35) late contribution took SRH close to 150. Barring for Umesh Yadav, who has 13 wickets for RCB this season, other bowlers like Chris Woakes and Tim Southee have not risen to the occasion. If the results are not in favour of RCB, the team will get out of the title contention.
Kohli said the Sunrisers’ success in the ongoing season can be attributed to their knack of understanding their strengths and limitations. Last night’s performance wasn’t their best with the ball, yet when it came to the crunch moments, the bowlers lifted their game and provided the timely breakthroughs.
The calculation shared by @sriharikraman on Twitter breaks down how RCB can still make it to top 4.
Once the video hit the internet, netizens noticed Virat Kohli’s simplistic nature and couldn’t stop praising him for it. He has accumulated 354 runs in 9 matches. The cheer, however, did not last long. The remaining batsmen were only able to get in the single digits. He tried to flick the ball from outside the off stump and it took the leading edge. And that is exactly what it would happen it seemed, or up till Kohli was at the crease. Such a ridiculous shot in the given situation, in a fate-deciding match, was not expected of Kohli.
For Hyderabad, Shakib took 2 for 36, Rashid took 1 for 31, while the pacers took a wicket each.
Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was victim on both occasions. ABD was dismissed for 5.
When southpaw Moeen Ali snicked to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha off Siddharth Kaul, the visitors were in dire straits at 84 for five in the 12th over.
With 12 needed in the final over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was spot on with his yorkers, conceding just six runs.
RCB’s death bowling woes didn’t resurface.
Advertisement
Southee was questioned about Kohli’s strategy of letting the bowlers decide the field.
