Close finishes have hurt Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. The Kane Williamson-led side suffered a Super Over defeat against Mumbai Indians on Friday, further denting its hopes of making it to the play-offs.
With 12 points after 13 matches, Sunrisers must win its last group league fixture against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday to stay alive in the tournament.
All-rounder Mohammad Nabi says that the team will shrug off the disappointment of close defeats and go all out in the next game.
REPORT| Mumbai Indians storms into playoffs with Super Over win
"It is disappointing because if we can’t win on such pitches and lose after coming so close, then it is bad luck for our team. In the whole tournament, we have come close and lost matches. In the last match, we will give 110 per cent and hope that we qualify," Nabi said after the side's defeat against Mumbai Indians.
Chasing 162, Manish Pandey hit a last-ball six to level the scores but Hyderabad failed to cross the line in the Super Over. Nabi heaped praises on Pandey. "I think No. 3 is a good position for him. Last few games, he has consistently performed. It’s very good for the team as well, because (Jonny) Bairstow and (David) Warner have gone back home. Pandey has added strength," Nabi said.
Pandey and Nabi stitched a 49-run partnership, but failed to accelerate in the middle overs. Nabi attributed it to Mumbai's 'brilliant bowling'.
FOLLOW| IPL Coverage
"We tried to hit the big ones, but they bowled brilliantly. The ball was reversing with (Lasith) Malinga and (Jasprit) Bumrah around. And they bowled brilliant yorkers as well. I thought we’ll go for the big hits but it’s not possible to hit yorkers for six. That’s why we took singles.
READ| Jasprit Bumrah raises his collar in the Super Over
"The thinking was to hit one or two big shots, because the wicket was easy to play. Everyone knows (Jasprit) Bumrah is the best in death overs, he bowled brilliantly in the last overs as well as the Super Over," Nabi noted.
In the Super Over, Hyderabad could score only eight runs and chose Rashid Khan to defend the total. Explaining the decision to pick a spinner over a seamer, Nabi said, "Everyone knows Rashid is a brilliant bowler, and he bowled brilliantly in the four overs. That’s why we decided to bowl Rashid. It happens in cricket.
"It’s a little bit tough to bowl (in Super Over). In front of a quality player as well, it’s tough. But if you assess the conditions and variations and also read the mind of the batsman, then it will be easy for the bowler."
