Laxman: ‘SRH takes pride in letting players express themselves freely’

“We have to accept that sometimes even an individual like Watson can snatch the game away with his brilliance,” Laxman said.

V.V.S. Laxman says that it was not the failure of SRH’s bowling unit in the IPL final against CSK. (File Photo)

Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor V.V.S. Laxman says that it was not the failure of the bowling unit in the IPL final against Chennai Super Kings, but an extraordinary innings from Shane Watson which took the match away from the team.

“If you look back, our bowlers were on top till the fifth over. However, the momentum shifted from sixth and seventh overs. Watson was just unstoppable at hitting — even what appeared to be wicket-taking deliveries — to the fence consistently. He was simply unstoppable,” Laxman informed Sportstar on Monday.

“We have to accept that sometimes an individual like Watson can snatch the game away with his brilliance,” he said. “There was no pressure on us in the final. It was a good score we posted. In fact, we were just as calm and composed as we were right through and also in the crucial playoff match against Kolkata Knight Riders. This is what we as a franchisee always take pride in — letting players express themselves freely on and off the field,” he added.

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“Well, the three biggest positives for Sunrisers in this IPL were 1. Kane Williamson as captain and batsman; he was sensational. 2. The way we won matches under tremendous pressure, defending low totals. 3 The evolution of Rashid Khan as a high-impact bowler with his great consistency and wicket-taking ability,” Laxman said.

“Well, the BCCI should be lauded for packaging another IPL edition into a success story. If you look at the crowds at every venue and even in the final, we had a capacity crowd even though Mumbai Indians was not playing,” he said.