Sunrisers Hyderabad lost the eliminator of the 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) to Delhi Capitals which finished their dream of qualifying for the final of the tournament. However, Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson was not pleased to lose the game and thought that their inability to contribute in crucial moments was the reason for their exit of the league.
“In contrast to last season, I think we would have had four or five matches very very close and we were on the right side of those results,” Williamson said on Wednesday, May 8.
“This year we’ve been in similar positions – Super Overs, times like today, once again we have had those four or five matches but we’ve not been on the right side of the results. I guess if you’re looking back, there were some frustrating moments, but also some positives as every game we were in with a chance to win,” he added.
“To qualify with six wins doesn’t look pretty, but it’s what it is. It’s a bit frustrating when the margin is so small, and we were on the losing side of so many of those margins. Even the last three matches we played there were some solid performances but we were nipped in the bud right towards the end. Some learning for the squad for the next year, but it’s disappointing,” he further said.
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However, Williamson praised their batsmen as they put up 162 on that slow surface but he was not happy with the bowlers as they weren’t in a good form and cost the game. Delhi required 42 off the last four overs when Rishabh Pant changed the gear, scoring 49 off 21 and won the game for Delhi.
“It was the nature of the surface, the new ball came on nicely. We saw both innings, scoring was difficult after the Power Play with the slow turn and the pitch,” Williamson said. “I thought the first half was a good effort to get to a competitive total. Looked that way for a long part of the chase. In both innings, the Power Play was crucial and both sides made it count.”
“We knew that the middle and back end would give you the opportunity to get some wickets, and we were able to do that which is a positive. It’s such a fine line, this game. The last four overs, we thought we were in a position of strength. If you hit the wicket hard with slower balls, it was very difficult to get away but unfortunately we weren’t as clinical as we’d have liked,” he added.
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However, Khaleel Ahmed has performed pretty well in the whole tournament, who picked up 19 wickets in 9matches.
“Khaleel has been outstanding for us in his ability to pick up wickets in the Power Play and through the middle,” said Williamson. “He’s been a real threat when he has had his opportunities. He showed that again today, picking up two wickets to change momentum in that over. I guess on this surface, we knew that if we got the breakthroughs outside the Power Play, then we can apply the pressure as batting outside the Power Play was very difficult. It was nice we picked up those wickets and Khaleel was a big part of it,” Williamson said.
