IPL 2018: Shikhar Dhawan jokes he wanted Delhi Daredevils to score more runs for him to complete his ton

Dhawan scored 92 not out against Delhi while chasing 188.

Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson | IANS

The game between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Daredevils (DD) wasn't a clash between two teams. It was just a game of three players, 2 from SRH -- Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan-- and 1 from DD -- Rishabh Pant.

The hosts batted first and posted 187 runs on the board. It was just one man show from them. Pant, the 20-year-old rising star, smashed the strongest bowling unit of IPL with ease.

He was toying with one of world's best bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The southpaw smacked him for 26 runs in last 5 balls of the innings. This is the same bowling attack which had defended 25 runs in last three overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) a few days back.

Pant scored 128* runs off just 63 balls which is the highest by an Indian in IPL.

In reply, SRH batsmen Dhawan and Williamson showed DD how easy the track is to bat and the target isn't enough. Hyderabad chased down the given total comfortably by 9 wickets. The SRH opener Dhawan scored 92* off 50 balls.

Speaking after the game, man-of-the-match Dhawan jokingly said Delhi should have scored more runs. "Delhi should have scored a few more runs. Jokes aside, whenever century has to come, it will come", Dhawan said.

He was accompanied by the skipper Williamson (83 not out off 53) as they ensured two points for Sunrisers.

Dhawan didn't miss out on lauding the youngster Pant's innings. "His reverse sweeps, he played really well. It is good to see youngsters like him play so well in this tournament", said Dhawan.

He also conceded that he wasn't amongst the runs after his injury. "Post-injury I could not score runs. My belief was always strong. I have played a lot here (Kotla), it is a flat wicket and the ground is small. I backed my attacking game. I had told myself I had to back myself", he added.

 

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 11 May, 2018

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