The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were at their best against David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their second match of IPL 2021 season as RCB handed a 6-run loss to SRH and managed to defend a considerably low target of 150 runs.
Even though SRH lost opener Wriddhiman Saha early, skipper Warner along with batsman Manish Pandey stitched a critical partnership to steady their ship. But RCB spinner Shahbaz Ahmed ran through the SRH middle-order and turned the match in RCB’s favor.
While talking to head coach Simon Katich about the game, he said, “It certainly gets tense but I think the spirit with which they played was fantastic in both games. So, regardless of the result, we are really proud of the way they go about it.”
“The fact we got over the line both times is great but if we hadn't got over the line the fact we fought really hard and stayed in the contest as long as we did, particularly, tonight when Warner and Pandey were putting on a very good partnership and things have got there in their favor,” he added.
IPL 2021: "A very bitter pill to swallow" David Warner on SRH's shambolic loss to RCB
Katich also revealed that since it was a difficult wicket to bat on for a new batsman, the team knew that they were just a wicket away from turning this game.
“We felt that we are only one wicket away because it is a hard wicket to start on as a new batsman. We found out that in our innings. Credit to Virat and boys for hanging in there and getting the wickets at the right time which opened the game for us,” Katich said.
Game Day:Bowlers set up remarkable win for RCB
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 15, 2021
Maxwell‘s brilliant knock gave us a defendable total, & Shahbaz’s heroics along with Harshal’s death bowling skills helped us close out Sunrisers Hyderabad & make it 2 wins in 2 this #IPL2021.#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #SRHvRCB pic.twitter.com/q9TcTjdVlg
After SRH, Virat Kohli and Co. will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 18 April in Chennai.
(With ANI inputs)
