Don't think we could have ever expected chasing it like that: Travis Head
In an exciting contest at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma displayed batting dominance to decimate Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in just 9.4 overs. SRH openers took their side to 167/0, becoming the first team in IPL history to chase down a target with the most balls to spare, 62 to be precise.
The Lucknow-based franchise had posted a total of 165/4 after being put in to bat first, thanks to knocks from Ayush Badoni (55 off 30) and Nicholas Pooran (48 off 26). However, little did they know the storm coming their way in the chase.
Head (89* off 30) and Abhishek (75* off 28) took the LSG bowling attack to the cleaners from the very first ball. They put up a 100-run opening stand under the powerplay itself. The onslaught left the LSG camp shell-shocked.
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Head, awarded the Player of the Match, admitted they couldn't have expected to chase it down so dominantly.
“I don't think we could have ever expected chasing it like that. It looked like a tough wicket in the first innings, it looked like it was holding and a slow pitch. I guess, knowing that as a batter, you know that the powerplay is important. Trying to maximize that and we played beautifully, we were able to get ahead of the rate, which is nice,” Head said at the post-match press conference.
This was SRH's third-century opening stand of the season, making them the only team with multiple 100+ partnerships. Head was full of praise for his aggressive opening partner, Abhishek. “Nice to get a go, nice to be performing, and the partnership with Abhi has been fantastic. He's such an exciting talent for Indian cricket, he's exceptional,” he added.
After last night's win, SRH inch closer in the playoffs race, and with 14 points find themselves at the third position, below Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.
The difference between the two teams' powerplay scores was the defining factor, according to LSG consultant Adam Voges.
"I think we're all in awe of what we've just seen. Sometimes you have to tip your hat and say well played to the opposition. (They) might have mis-hit one or two balls in the nine and bit overs that we bowled at them. Incredible batting, incredible hitting, clearly we didn't have an answer for,” said Voges as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Also read: Pat Cummins passes witty remark after SRH demolish LSG in 9.4 overs
“What do you say, 2 for 20 odd as opposed to 100 for none, and that's the game in itself. We were put under immense pressure with the ball right from the start, we weren't able to apply the same pressure with the bat to begin with,” he added.
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