Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRK) qualified for the playoffs by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the match played on Chennai ground. Although the target was not very big, the pitch did not look easy for the batsmen. In such a situation, Ishan Kishan took the team closer to victory by playing an innings full of wisdom and patience.

Ishaan understood during wicketkeeping itself

After the match, Ishan Kishan told that while keeping wickets, he had realized that this pitch is very challenging for batting. Especially the slow balls of the fast bowlers and the help given to the spinners were creating problems for the batsmen. This was the reason why he planned to play by staying at the crease from the beginning.

Ishaan said that as a middle-order batsman, his responsibility was not only to score runs quickly but also to finish the match by staying till the end. He admitted that it is not easy for new batsmen to hit big shots as soon as they come on such a pitch.

Great mix of restraint and aggression

Ishan Kishan, who came to bat in the third over, reduced the pressure by hitting some brilliant fours in the beginning. After this, he took charge of the innings and maintained the run rate. His half-century also came at a very important time, when the team needed fast runs.

The match certainly got a bit exciting in the last overs, but Ishaan made the equation easier by hitting big consecutive blows in the 18th over. He played an important inning of 70 runs in 47 balls and returned after taking the team to the threshold of victory.

Klaasen changed the course of the match

Heinrich Klaasen’s partnership with Ishan Kishan completely changed the course of the match, when both the batsmen came together, the run rate was increasing and the pressure was also on Hyderabad. Klaasen looked a little cautious in the beginning, but soon he started playing big shots in his natural style.

Klaasen gave strength to the team in the middle overs by attacking the spinners of Chennai. He later said that after playing a few balls, he realized that only defensive batting would not suffice and it was necessary to adopt an aggressive approach.

The bowlers were getting help on the pitch

Klaasen also admitted that batting on the Chennai pitch was not easy. According to him, sometimes the ball was staying low and sometimes it was coming fast on the bat. Especially cutters and slow balls were troubling the batsmen.

He also said that the pitch in Chennai was definitely a little better than before, but coming here and batting is still no less than a challenge.

Slow balls caused loss to Chennai

The fast bowlers of Sunrisers Hyderabad made excellent use of slow balls in the match. His strategy was so effective that Chennai Super Kings could not score a big score. This was the reason why even the target of 180 runs did not seem easy on this pitch.

Although Chennai tried to make a comeback in the bowling, smart batting by Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen ultimately gave Hyderabad an important win.

It is noteworthy that Ishan Kishan proved in this match that T20 cricket is not just a game of big shots but is also a game of playing after understanding the circumstances. He batted with patience and intelligence on the difficult Chennai pitch, which shows his match awareness. At the same time, Klaasen’s aggressive batting completely put the pressure on Chennai.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling also became a major reason for the victory, especially the use of slow balls was excellent. This win will boost Hyderabad’s confidence, while Chennai Super Kings will have to work seriously on their batting strategy and middle overs performance.