Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya on Monday (10th April) talked about the loss his side suffered against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 21 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 in Mumbai. He credited the opposition bowlers for bowling well in the death overs.
After winning three consecutive matches, GT suffered their first loss of the IPL 15 season. The Pandya-led side was at the receiving end of 8-wicket thumping at the hands of SRH, who registered their second win of the season.
Asked to bat first, GT started poorly as they lost in-form Shubman Gill in the third over for just 7 runs. Youngster Sai Sudharsan too fell early as the new franchise found themselves tumbling at 47/2 inside the powerplay.
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After that Hardik Pandya (50*) scored his maiden half-century as the captain of the side and guided his side to the fighting total of 162 runs. He was complimented well by Abhinav Manohar, who scored 35 runs. For SRH, T Natarajan was the pick of the bowlers and returned with the figures of 2/34.
Defending the target, GT started exceptionally well with the ball as they gave only 11 runs in the first 4 overs. However, after that SRH openers, Abhishek Sharma (42) and Kane Williamson (57), took charge and smashed 31 runs off the last two overs to end the powerplay on a high.
The duo added 64 runs for the opening partnership. After that, an 18-ball 34 run knock in the end by Nicholas Pooran sealed the game for the ‘Orange Army’.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Hardik Pandya said that they were 7-10 runs short and two expensive overs in the powerplay that they bowled made the difference.
He credited SRH bowlers for bowling well in the last 5 overs and varying their lengths with different heights.
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“Batting wise I think we were 7-10 runs short and would’ve made a difference in the end. Bowling wise, we had a good start but had two bad overs. I think they bowled well [in the last 5 overs]. The bounce was varying about and their bowlers with different heights,” Hardik Pandya said.
Pandya said that they will follow their motto of learning from their mistakes and will enjoy their next game.
“Credit to them with the way they bowled. Our motto has been the same which is to learn from the mistakes we make no matter the result. In a couple of days we have our next game. Relax and enjoy the game,” he said.
GT will take on Rajasthan Royals in their next match of IPL 2022 on Thursday (14th April) in Mumbai.
(ANI Inputs)
