IPL 2021: Match 14 - PBKS vs SRH - Who Said What

Finally! The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have managed to win in Chennai (after six losses). This is also their first victory of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they defeated the Punjab Kings who have now lost three matches on the trot. It was a comprehensive performance from the Men in Orange who never dropped their guard and didn’t allow Punjab to come back into the game.

Earlier in the day, Punjab Kings won the toss and opted to bat first on a slow Chennai surface. But they didn’t get off to the desired start. KL Rahul got out soon and there was a sort of procession in the middle as they were reduced to 47/4 in the ninth over. SRH bowlers never let them off the hook and the wickets kept coming at regular intervals. Only Shahrukh Khan looked a bit comfortable in the middle scoring 22 off 17 balls as Punjab could reach 120 runs.

In response, SRH started slowly but their openers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow made sure that they didn’t give away their wickets. The duo added 73 runs in 10.1 overs for the opening wicket which laid the platform for a comfortable victory. Warner got out after scoring 37 runs, however, Bairstow didn’t deter and played a patient knock of 63 runs along with Kane Williamson to take his team home.

Man of the Match, Jonny Bairstow said:

Absolutely over the moon to get us over the line. Been really close in most of the games, and haven’t got through. Probably through carelessness to be honest. Pleased to get over the line. Each game we’ve seen after the powerplay it’s gotten harder and harder.

It was key to make sure we took advantage (of the powerplay). I don’t really need to talk about how good Kane is. That one Moises dropped at covers, to time it like that and not get four.

SRH skipper David Warner said:

Very pleasing, the bowlers did a fantastic job to reduce them. The game plan of having them there is to anchor the game. He rotates the strike so well. his impact points against spin are there to see.

Abhishek is a young guy coming through, we asked him to bowl a lot more this season, and he did it. Till we went on, he didn’t know he was bowling the first over. I didn’t want to think too much about it. It’s all about starting fresh here again, take the wicket out of it

PBKS skipper KL Rahul said:

We knew what to expect here. Tried to get used to the conditions as quickly as we can. We were 10-15 short on this pitch. Bowlers tried very hard, but it’s very hard coming into these conditions and adapting quickly. Hindsight is a beautiful thing.

We knew they were going to come hard. It’s tricky to have attacking fields. Was waiting for one of them to get out and then put pressure. Wanted to take the game as deep as possible.

Unfortunately we couldn’t get wickets in the middle and that cost us. Every game is important for us and we’ve been in that position. It’s not a bad position to be in. Hopefully learn from our mistakes and keep getting better.