Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor V.V.S. Laxman felt that the first two or three overs set the tone for the match against Mumbai Indians which the former won comfortably in the Indian Premier League at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Monday night.
In an interaction after the match, Laxman said the Sunrisers did not allow the momentum to shift. “There were a couple of overs which were big but overall we executed our plans to perfection,” he remarked.
“The reason why we preferred Nabi (Afghan offie Mohammad Nabi) was because Mumbai had quite a few left-handers and some of them in very good form,” Laxman reasoned.
“It was fantastic to see the way Nabi started off. It is very difficult when you're not playing too many games and this is only your second game,” he remarked.
“It is very frustrating I am sure for someone like Kane (Williamson) to sit out, because he is in outstanding form. But, given the options, we have to work what is the best combination on the given day,” Laxman said.
On Vijay Shankar’s first game in this edition, Laxman said, “He played proper cricketing shots against good attacking bowlers of Mumbai,” he added.
“Yes, unlike previous two years, we are spoilt for choices. Sometimes that is good. Any player can just walk into the playing eleven and perform. For that is the work culture we have ensured in the team,” Laxman pointed out.
On Yuvraj Singh’s injury scare, Laxman said that he should be okay. “Luckily we are playing a match after four days, so there is enough time for him to recover,” he said.
Was there some relief after the Kings XI Punjab lost the game against Gujarat Lions on Sunday night? “We have been mentioning to the team not to think too much about the points table. We have played really well throughout the tournament.”
“We are not depending on one or two batsmen or one or two bowlers. Our dug-out is very relaxed. We don’t panic or get nervous because (referring to Warner’s early dismissal) in the end it is just a game,” he said.
MI looking at positives
Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel said the team wasn’t too bothered about having an off-day before the play-offs.
“We have been playing really good cricket right through the tournament. This is one of those days which can happen. And, certainly, it was not that we were trying to test the batting line-up,” Parthiv said.
“We thought it is a 160-plus wicket. May be if we had scored those runs, we could have defended.”
“There is always pressure during powerplays. And, I have been batting for the last 10 years in that phase. Enjoyed batting there. It is important to hit boundaries and rotate strike in the powerplays,” Parthiv said.
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