NEW DELHI:
Abhishek Sharma
attributed his remarkable 37 runs off just 12 balls, which proved pivotal in Sunrisers Hyderabad's successful pursuit of a target against Chennai Super Kings, to the extensive groundwork he underwent prior to the IPL.
He acknowledged the invaluable assistance he received from former batting maestros Brian Lara and
Yuvraj Singh
.
In the match, the 23-year-old hammered Mukesh Chaudhary for 27 runs in the second over, including two boundaries and three sixes, setting the stage for SRH's chase of 166 runs.
Aiden Markram then provided stability to the innings, guiding the team to victory with 11 balls to spare.
"It is all the hardwork i have put before this. Special thanks to my dad, Yuvi paaji and Brian Lara," Abhishek, who was named player of the match, said at the post-match presentation.
"While bowling, we felt it was a slow wicket. So we wanted to take the powerplay on. We had a chance to prepare well before the IPL. We knew it will be slow but not if we take on the bowler. Because it would be difficult for the bowler as well," added the youngster who scored at an astounding strike rate of 308.33.
Asked which one he would prefer between high strike rate and big runs, he said, "Big scores matter, but I went with the flow today. Hopefully I will get out last next time."
SRH captain Pat Cummins joked that he would not be wanting to bowl to Abhishek.
"I would not be wanting to be bowling to him," the Australian said.
"Different soil, slowed up as the game went on. Still a fantastic game. We have got plenty of fast bowlers. Shivam was hitting the spinners. So we took a chance with the fast bowlers bowling cutters."
Asked about the home crowd, he said, "The crowd is crazy tonight, especially when MS (Dhoni) walked out. We love playing here, home conditions."
CSK captain
Ruturaj Gaikwad
felt his side could not capitalise in the last five overs.
"It was a slow pitch. At the back end they bowled well. We couldn't capitalise in the last five overs. We were in a good situation halfway but they bowled well at the back.
"Black soil pitch, so we expected the slowness. As the ball got older, it got slower. They used the conditions well - big boundary one end. We did not bowl well in the powerplay but did well to drag the game.
"170-175 is par, if we would have had a good powerplay with the ball, we could have had the game. There was slight dew at the later stage. Moeen was spinning the ball in the 15th-16th over, so not much of a difference."
(With inputs from PTI)
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