IPL 2018: VVS Laxman Backs Sunrisers Hyderabad to Overcome CSK Loss

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will get another chance to qualify for the grand finale as they face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday in Qualifier 2 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Hyderabad lost the Qualifier 1st against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in an agonizing manner. Despite their defeat team mentor VVS Laxman has backed SRH to put their loss against CSK aside them and move forward.

Faf du Plessis produced a magnificent performance in Pune. He eventually helped CSK to win the match by a couple of wickets and with five deliveries to spare.

It was Sunrisers’ fourth successive defeat in the competition and also their third defeat against the Super Kings in the competition.

Laxman said the team could take “great pride” for the fighting performance they put up against the seven-time finalists.

“It didn’t help that we lost our captain and most consistent batsman of the tournament, Kane Williamson, as well as Shakib Al Hasan to catches down the leg-side. As a team, when two key batsmen get out in such fashion, it is easy to start feeling that the rub of the green isn’t going your way, but our campaign has been characterised by a positive approach and attitude,” Laxman wrote in his column for the Times of India.

Veteran cricketer Laxman reiterated they are banking on the bowling department which yielded desired results from time-to-time.

“Yusuf Pathan first, and then Carlos Brathwaite in grand fashion, showcased those virtues though, at the break, we felt that 139 was about 20-25 runs too few. We have great confidence in our bowling, and like the consummate professional that he is, Bhuvi once again led the way. Fully recovered from the mid-season injury, he got the ball to swing. Our only chance was to take wickets, and after Bhuvi provided the breakthrough, the rest chipped in to dent Chennai’s chase,” added Laxman.

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Laxman has played only 22 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in his career from 2008 to 2011.

Meanwhile coming back to the Qualifier 1st against Chennai, Hyderabad were tottering after being put in to bat. It was eventually 29-ball 43 from the blade of Carlos Brathwaite.

So much so, such innings propelled Hyderabad to a competitive score of 139 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Hyderabad bowlers then made a sensational comeback and reduced Chennai to 62 for six. Siddharth Kaul and Rashid Khan bowled quite brilliantly and it looked  Chennai will be bowled out quickly. However, du Plessis held his nerves and scored an unbeaten 67 from 42 deliveries.

“Chennai’s batting has been like our bowling. Where we have found means to defend low totals, they have unearthed different batting heroes. And this time, it was the turn of the experienced Faf du Plessis to put his hand up. Chennai has tended to take the game deep and refused to blink in adversity, trusting themselves to get the job done. Faf symbolised that and played a brilliant knock under the circumstances,” wrote Laxman.

Laxman backs SRH despite a string of losses:

Speaking on the string of losses going into a must-win clash against Kolkata, VVS Laxman said that it doesn’t mean anything, especially in a knockout phase. They simply have to win to qualify for the final.

“I know we have now lost four games in a row, but in a knockout situation, that doesn’t mean anything. We start Qualifier 2 against Kolkata Knight Riders with a clean slate. Knowing that it will be a huge challenge but we are also excited at the prospect,” Laxman stated.

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