IPL 2019: Shreyas Iyer praises Delhi Capitals' bowlers after away victory over RCB

Delhi pacer Kagiso Rabada was named "Player-of-the-Match" against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday.

Kagiso Rabada | IANS

Kagiso Rabada | IANS

Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded his team's bowling attack after an all-important win away from home against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday (April 7). Having faced two consecutive defeats before this match, the visitors finally pulled off a victory in the ongoing IPL season.

Delhi restricted RCB to just 149/8 in its 20 overs on the back of three very fine spells from Kagiso Rabada (4/21), Chris Morris (2/28) and Axar Patel (1/21). The away team later chased down the 150-run target comfortably, as Iyer himself batted solidly through the course of his 50-ball 67 to ensure that his team finishes off the game only six wickets down and with still seven balls left in the innings. 

"It was tough to bat but I decided to play positively," said Iyer at the post-match presentation ceremony. "I did not want bowlers to get on top of me. That was my mindset and it worked out well. I was trying to manoeuvre the ball into gaps. I think they scored 10-15 runs less runs on this track"

"Our bowlers bowled really well," he added. "Especially Rabada in his last two overs. Obviously, we need to think about the areas we need to work on. A victory gives big satisfaction. You get to see the smiling faces. I am doing alright as a skipper and want to maintain the tempo."

Quite deservingly, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada received the "Player-of-the-Match" award for Delhi, and he said, "It has been a weird tournament for us as a team. It worked for me today and am glad. On a daily basis, you try to execute your simple skills."

"It is important to back yourself and I do it. I don’t see myself as a leader. If people are looking for some advice, I am always there. I have a responsibility at the top of the innings and at the death."

Delhi Capitals has now won three out of its six games so far and finds itself fifth in the eight-team IPL points table with six points, whereas Royal Challengers Bangalore is yet to win a game this year and languishes at the bottom after having succumbed to six consecutive losses. 

(Inputs from IANS)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 08 Apr, 2019

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