IPL 2020: Match 17 – MI vs SRH – Who Said What

Sharjah, thus far in IPL 2020, witnessed some nail-biting encounters. The match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) was also nothing short of entertainment but was not as thrilling as the other games. It was not as high-scoring encounter comparatively. Even though SRH did a brilliant job with the ball, their weakness with the bat was evident once again. Despite the conditions being in favour of batting, the SRH batsmen failed to put up a good show.

Rohit Sharma won the toss in Sharjah and opted to bat first. Even though he got out early, his opening partner, Quinton de Kock, delivered after an early reprieve. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 67 runs off 39 balls while Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan got 27 and 31 runs respectively. Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard took up the responsibility to finish for the team once again. They scored 28 off 19 and 25 off 13 respectively. However, it was Krunal Pandya who was the game-changer. He faced the last four balls of the innings, scored 20* runs and propelled MI’s score to 208/5.

In reply, SRH got off to a good start with Jonny Bairstow scoring 25 off 15 balls. Manish Pandey also got firing and scored 30 runs. But the middle-order turned out to be the troublesome area. David Warner, even though was struggling, put up a great effort and scored 60 off 44 balls. Once he got out in the 16th over, it seemed game over for SRH and it actually turned out that way. MI won the game by 34 runs as SRH could get to only 174 in their quota of 20 overs.

David Warner, the SRH skipper, said

Looking at the stats, their two experienced bowlers bowled well in the middle overs. That wicket during the day is a little bit slower. It was holding up a fraction. Obviously, 209 on the board, we tried to go 10 an over, but we couldn’t get a partnership strung together long enough. Two new guys coming in today with Bhuvi injured as well. A lot of things we can work on in training. I counted probably seven or eight full tosses towards the back end. From the execution point of view, we didn’t nail that.

Rohit Sharma, the MI skipper, said

The wicket looked good but it was slightly on the slower side so getting past 200 was a great effort. We didn’t have any total in mind. We back our bowlers to do the job. And that’s what they did. I definitely missed out, but again you try your best whenever you have the opportunity. Great effort from the boys to put those runs on the board. We decide the middle order depending on how the game is going. Match-ups, match situation etc.

It is great to have three power hitters. Today Krunal also showed his value. You come with bowling plans. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you have to bowl the best delivery at the time. I don’t try to impose my plans on them. I want them to give me their plan, and then I set the field. It is always nice to have bowlers who do that.

Trent Boult, the Man of the Match, said

We had watched a bit of cricket played on this wicket. Small ground too. Good effort by the boys. We had something to bowl to. I am known for swing and not for slower ones with the new ball, but you just use variations and angles. Have a bit of fun. I don’t actually get Kane out too much in the nets. So nice to do so, but more important to get the wicket. Very foreign conditions for me, very hot, but you have to be clear in your head. Execute what you want to do, and not worry about the ball travelling out of the park.