IPL 2019: Lamichhane admits his double-wicket over was turning point in Capitals win

The Delhi Capitals leg-spinner admits his two wickets in the 13th over – including that of the ominous Chris Gayle – turned the contest around for his side.

Published : Apr 21, 2019 11:15 IST , NEW DELHI

Lamichhane recovered to take three wickets after Gayle's early onslaught against his bowling. PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA
Lamichhane recovered to take three wickets after Gayle's early onslaught against his bowling. PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA
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Lamichhane recovered to take three wickets after Gayle's early onslaught against his bowling. PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA

Sandeep Lamichhane, the Delhi Capitals leg-spinner, came into the side as the third spinner against Kings XI Punjab, after having been benched in the defeat to Mumbai Indians on Thursday. Despite giving away 40 runs in his four overs at the Feroz Shah Kotla here against the Kings XI, his performance was valuable as he took three wickets.

One of them was the prized one of Chris Gayle. Gayle had been busy unleashing his fireworks in the first 10 overs and had the intention of punishing Lamichhane once again in the 13th. After hitting a six, he was caught at the deep midwicket boundary. Lamichhane, then, went on to dismiss the new batsman Sam Curran. Kings XI stumbled about in the rest of the overs to get to 163.

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Interacting with mediapersons after Capitals’ five-wicket win, Lamichhane admitted that his over may have been the turning point of the contest. “I think [that over was the turning point]. In the 13th over, it was a much-needed wicket for us. Chris Gayle was looking in good form; he had hit [69] runs in [36] balls. He was in brilliant touch. Anywhere we were bowling, he was smashing us all over the ground. Getting those two wickets in the 13th was really good for us.”

Sharing his assessment of the pitch, he said: “[The] pitch was good. It was turning a bit at the start but after [a while] it was coming on nicely to the bat. The [reason] for the poor bowling today was the dew factor. The ball was really wet and it was hard to grip the ball and because of that, none of the spinners except Axar [Patel] – he did really [well] today – went well. But getting those crucial wickets at the much-needed time for our team, it was really good from everyone.”

Dew played a big role in the unfolding of the contest, Lamichhane revealed. “Dew was the main factor in today’s game. Ball wasn’t gripping really well as they did in previous games. There was turn in the pitch as well. Because of the dew factor, a different game [was] played today [than on other occasions].”

Lamichhane revealed he isn’t unduly bothered when he is out of the playing XI. “Sometimes [I’m] disappointed. But at the end of the day you need good results and I think our coach is very experienced – [he has] got much more knowledge than me on cricket – so there might be some plans in their minds [that makes them] choose different kinds of playing XIs. So, I’m not disappointed [considering that]. [I] just relax my nerves, learning all the things and where I can groom my cricket again and again. At the end of the day, you just need to keep improving and do well in cricket.”

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He added: “I never take any challenge as an opportunity, but take every opportunity as a challenge so that I can prove myself and I can give a reason to smile for everyone.”

Commenting on his growth – in cricketing terms — in the last one year, since he was picked by the Delhi franchise, he said: “I would be very thankful to Nepal cricket because I’ve done really well for Nepal in the past years. Delhi Capitals took me last year. From there, my life has completely changed because I got to play three games [and] did really [well] for Delhi Capitals – Delhi Daredevils then. After that, I haven't had to look back on my journey. From there it all started and then I played in a lot of leagues around the world and really did well wherever I played so far. Last time I played three games, but this time I have to play a lot of games."

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