IPL 2018: Kane Williamson lauds “outstanding” Shikhar Dhawan after securing Playoffs berth

“Gabbar is back”, says Shikhar Dhawan after his Delhi knock.

Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson ensured SRH to chase down the target in Delhi | IANS

Kane Williamson, Captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), was lavished praise on his “outstanding” opener Shikhar Dhawan after their unbeaten 176-run stand helped the SRH to beat Delhi Daredevils (DD) by 9-wickets in Thursday’s (10 May) IPL 2018 encounter in Delhi.

Williamson (83* off 53 deliveries including 8 fours and 2 sixes) and Dhawan (92* off 50 balls including 9 fours and 4 sixes) were brilliant at Kotla with the willow, which vanished Rishabh Pant’s maiden T20 ton, as well as, washed out DD’s chances of winning do-or-die encounter, and led SRH to the IPL 2018 Playoffs.

As per reports in Indian Express, Williamson said at the post-match press conference, “Wicket was a good surface towards the end. A bit of partnership at the top, which gave us the momentum. We were batting with intent when chasing 180. I think when you are rotating the strike the boundaries start to come. It was nice to get that partnership. Shikhar was outstanding; certainly, put them on the back foot.”

On Team’s show in Delhi, the SRH captain pointed out, “We wanted to go out and keep playing as a team. And we have been playing on tough surfaces, so it was nice to go out and execute our batting plans. It’s always tough chasing here. (At the half-way stage) we thought it was a tough surface, keeping a touch low perhaps. Pant played a special knock.”

Meanwhile, Dhawan, who adjudged Man of the Match for his efforts with the bat, is happy to return to his form, saying “Gabbar is back” and looking forward to carry with the momentum.

The opener signed off by saying, “The Gabbar was always there – Yes! He’s back. Rishabh played an amazing knock; he took the game away from us. But we believed that we’ll go in with a positive mind-set. I have played lots of cricket over here (at Kotla). I am glad that I scored 92 runs and I am looking forward to score more runs.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 11 May, 2018

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