Nehra asks his team not to panic, after loss to RPS

Although disappointed, Ashish Nehra has said there was no need to panic, after his team Sunrisers Hyderabad lost to Rising Pune Supergiants in a rain-shortened game in Hyderabad, to register its third loss in six games.

Ashish Nehra (right) believes 145 was a par score on the Hyderabad pitch. Sunrisers Hyderabad was reduced to 118 for 8 in its 20 overs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra, who played his first game after the injury break against Rising Pune Supergiants in a lost cause, has said there is no need for his team to panic after the loss under lights on Tuesday.

> Report: Rising Pune Supergiants ends four-match losing streak with comfortable win

“This can happen to any team. You win three games in-a-row or lose three back-to-back matches in this T20 format. So, what is important is how you quickly you learn from the mistakes and keeping moving ahead,” Nehra said after the team third loss in six games in the IPL.

“It is disappointing to lose tonight's game, definitely. I thought 145-plus is a par score on this pitch. I don't think rains were a factor which helped the bowlers, although they were a bit difficult for the batsmen,” Nehra said, replying to a query on whether rain before the start of the game was helpful to the Pune bowlers.

“I was a bit rusty to start with after the injury layoff. But as I play more games, I should get better and better,” Nehra said about his own form. “Well, defending such a modest target is very difficult for any bowling attack,” he commented.

Questioned on whether SRH is more comfortable in chasing down targets, Nehra felt that since the teams know what has to be achieved, the innings can be paced accordingly, and that is what happening so far in this IPL.

Sunrisers fared badly once again when its captain and opener David Warner failed cheaply. “It is a fact that he is the in-form batsman. But, that cannot be the only factor. Important contribution at the top is a major plus for any team. So, being 32 for five was a very difficult position to be in,” Nehra replied to a related query.

'Nice feeling'

For his part, Ashok Dinda, who turned up with a 'Man of the Match' performance (three for 23) rocked Sunrisers batting in his first match of the IPL this season, was visibly pleased with the showing. “It is a very nice feeling to win an important game like this. We excelled in all departments of the game,” he commented.

Dinda disagreed with the impression that rains helped the Pune bowlers before the start of the match. “I don't think so. We bowled in the right areas,” he remarked.

“My own strategy with the ball was to hit the deck in the right areas and I am glad that I was successful and helped the team's cause,” Dinda concluded.