On a surface where teams have accumulated high scores in recent years, it was an exceptionally low total. Vettori explained the stance of his squad, which has spent the past two seasons playing extremely aggressive cricket. Although they had great returns from that strategy the previous season, it backfired this year.
Vettori said that his ‘innately-aggressive’ batters had a learning season.
Rain forced the cancellation of SRH match against Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad on Monday, May 5, mathematically ending their chances of making it to the knockout stage. Curiously, it happened on a day when the team captained by Pat Cummins had put on one of its greatest bowling performances, holding the visitors to 133 for seven before play was cut short due to rain. After failing to bat, SRH was forced to share points with DC.
After 11 games this season, the outcome has now left last year’s finalists with just seven points, meaning that if they win all of their remaining games, they might finish the league stage with a maximum of 13 points. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be able to guarantee a spot in the playoffs this season with that alone.
The favourites to win the title were SRH because of their outstanding batting display in their tournament opener this year and their performance the previous season. However, their hopes were hindered by the inconsistency of all departments. It was too late by the time they were able to execute brilliantly on the pitch and with the ball.
“It was a really good performance, probably our best bowling and fielding performance of the tournament so far,” SRH head coach Daniel Vettori remarked after Monday’s postponed game. In training and meetings, we spend a lot of time discussing this topic. Therefore, it was a pretty wonderful performance to come out there and start that strongly.
It’s disappointing, of course. We had great expectations going into this season, but we haven’t been able to put together full performances and haven’t been consistent enough with our performances. It’s frustrating that we couldn’t complete the entire performance that started today, but that’s cricket.
“We’re evaluating the situation, and I believe that this year’s circumstances weren’t what we had anticipated. There were several high-scoring games played here last year, and these surfaces in particular have changed slightly. For the hitters, it has been difficult and challenging. We have only discussed evaluating the scenario, attempting to read the game, and figuring out what to do in specific circumstances. Although the lads are naturally combative, this season has really been about figuring out what is expected of them on the day.
The team’s captain, Pat Cummins, is known for his Mr. Fix-It role with the ball. Vettori praised him for his strong performance against the Delhi Capitals after he took the new ball. Cummins destroyed DC’s top order and came back with figures of 3 for 19.
With his ability to jump all over the power play, the middle, and the death, Pat is an excellent new ball bowler who typically plays a bit of a Mr. Fix-It role for us. He was outstanding tonight, and today was just a great chance to give him the fresh ball and go at them.
“If you look at his total performance, he has been able to bowl a variety of positions for us, take wickets, and mix and match depending on who is chosen for the squad. You can see why he is such a strong test match bowler when given the chance, as I believe he took the new ball for the first time today and took the first over. It’s quite satisfying that he could show up today, bowl so well, and lead the team so admirably. I hope that continues throughout the season’s final three games.
India
