Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) looked set to register their second win of IPL 2021 but a superb bowling performance by Punjab Kings (PBKS) ensured the Orange Army fell short by 5 runs, in their encounter in Sharjah.
Even though the SRH bowlers bowled tight lines to restrict the Punjab-based franchise to a paltry 125/7 in their 20 overs. But the PBKS bowlers held their nerves and won the low-scoring encounter in match 37 on IPL 2021.
The West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten 47 (29) with 5 maximums along with 3-19 in his 4 overs. Even though Kane Williamson and Co. are out of the playoffs race with this loss, Holder feels the team needs to keep going for the fans.
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“Tough loss. At the halfway mark, needing 126, you obviously back yourselves to chase it. We probably left a little too much to get at the end although I did back myself to get those,” Holder said during the post-match presentation.
“The stage where I came in, I just had to go for it and it worked. Maybe that's why it worked. Batters probably weren't too committal earlier on. Five more games left, need to build some momentum for next season. Fans have been really passionate, we need to keep going for them,” he added.
Coming from a heartbreaking loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR), the PBKS must have gained loads of confidence with this superb win and the side also managed to keep their hopes of qualifying for playoffs alive.
PBKS captain KL Rahul was extremely delighted to get this win under their belt and praised SRH all-rounder Holder for taking his team closer to the target.
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“I hope so, we are playing some entertaining cricket and have been doing it for the last two or three years, but I'll take the win. He (Holder) played exceedingly well. First with the ball, taking those two wickets in an over and then batted really well, on a track where it was difficult to play the big shots,” Rahul said
“We wanted to get another 20-30 more runs but we'll take the win. It gives us a belief that no matter what the situation is, our bowlers can get the opposition out if we get a decent score,” he added.
After SRH, the KL Rahul and his men will be taking the field against the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on Tuesday (28 September) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
(With ANI Inputs)
