IPL 2019: Kane Williamson explains decision behind giving 18th over to Basil Thampi

Rishabh Pant piled misery on SRH in the 18th over as his onslaught added 22 runs to DC's scoreboard.

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Kane Williamson
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Kane Williamson. (Photo Source: IANS)

Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson has opened up on why he gave the ball to Basil Thampi instead of in-form Khaleel Ahmed in the 18th over during the Eliminator against Delhi Capitals. After being on the backfoot for the majority of the must-win contest, the Sunrisers were looking in the driver’s seat. They had reduced Delhi to 111 for 5 in the 15th over. With 52 runs needed from the final five overs, the Sunrisers were looking well ahead.

Mohammad Nabi and Bhuvneshwar then conceded 19 runs in the following two overs to strengthen their team’s grip. The next over changed the course of the game and eventually led to a heartbreaking two-wicket loss for SRH. Williamson handed the ball to Thampi despite Khaleel having two overs left. Pant then broke Thampi’s technique to hit 22 runs from the over including two fours and as many sixes. DC chased down the total with a ball to spare.

Many think that the decision to bowl Thampi the 18th over was a mistake. Following the game, Kane Williamson explained the move that more or less settled the tie that swung from one side to another throughout. Pant’s 21-ball 49 did the trick for Delhi as they took another step towards making it to their first ever IPL final.

“Basically, with that [longer] side, we felt that the right arm option the cutters going away from the left-hander was our best bet,” he said. “But Rishabh is a fantastic player and we were put under pressure and we didn’t quite execute our skills,” Williamson said after the defeat.

We had a competitive total, feels Williamson

Kane Williamson further said that 162 was a par total as Sunrisers gave Delhi Capitals a run for their money before losing the thriller on the penultimate delivery.

“It was one of those surfaces that produce such close matches. I believed we had a competitive total after the first half. I knew it would be a tricky chase after the powerplay overs as with such totals there are small margins,” Williamson said.

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