Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper David Warner on Wednesday (April 21) called the Chepauk pitch “shocking” after his team’s comprehensive 9-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS).
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It was SRH’s first win of the IPL 2021 edition after three successive defeats at the MA Chidambaram Stadium – the venue which has witnessed many batting collapses this season.
Asked to bowl first, Sunrisers bundled out PBKS for 120 in 19.4 overs before chasing down the target with 8 balls to spare.
Speaking after the game, Warner criticised the wicket but refrained from blaming the curators.
“To be honest, it’s shocking,” Warner said in a virtual press conference. “It looks horrible on TV but you have to give credit to the curators. They have had a lot of cricket here so it’s very very difficult for them to get this wicket up and about. Since I’ve started playing in Chennai it’s always been there but it’s very difficult for them.”
“It’s not their (curators) fault that the wicket is like this. You had the Indian Test series against England and the same thing in Australia we had a lot of games on the same pitches, so the curators have got a very difficult job,” he added.
“As players, we know what we have to do, there are no excuses. It’s not ideal but at the end of the day, we are grateful to go out there and play on these wickets because it’s very challenging for them, they don’t have any rest. We have to be professionals and adapt.”
Khaleel Ahmed (3-21) and Abhishek Sharma (2-24) were the pick of the bowlers for SRH and Warner was particularly impressed with the latter.
“There wasn’t really any thought behind it. We were in the circle there and I just said to Abhishek ‘you got the first over’,” Warner said.
Abhishek, who bowls left-arm spin, could have also dismissed Mayank Agarwal if not for Rashid Khan’s drop catch.
“I just had a gut instinct (because) they had just come from Wankhede and it’s been a nice wicket there. I thought ‘you know what, might as well throw him the ball and see how he goes’.
“Those two guys like pace on the new ball so I just thought I’ll bring on Abhishek and we almost had a wicket in the first over,” Warner said.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Delhi Capitals in their next game on Sunday (April 25) in Chennai.
(With PTI inputs)
