IPL 2019: Difficult to Chalk Plans Against Great Batsmen Like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Says Shreyas Gopal

Rajasthan Royals (RR) leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal turned out to the match-winner for his side against Royal Challengers Bangalore when both sides met on April 2. The young spinner got the better of Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers along with Shimron Hetmyer to help his side script a seven-wicket win.

More than the victory, it will be those two priceless wickets, that will stay with Shreyas Gopal. Gopal said it is difficult to make plans against such talismanic run-scorers following his rare feat of dismissing both the batsmen in the same game. The cricketer who hails from Bangalore has had a good time in this edition of the IPL so far. So far he has picked eight wickets from an equal number of games. However, what standout for him is his staggering economy-rate. Gopal has bowled at an economy rate of 6.60, one of the best in the tournament so far.

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Speaking about the magical-spell, Shreyas Gopal clearly admitted that he had no plan against two of the most lethal batsmen. Gopal pointed out that he tried to bowl googlies and was lucky that they missed the line of the delivery.

“There was no plan for them (Kohli and de Villers). You can’t make any plan for such great batsmen. I just wanted to bowl a googly and keep it tight as possible,” he said to IANS. “They misread the line of the ball and I was fortunate to get their wickets,” he added.

Hardwork is paying off: Gopal

When tipped about his secret behind his success and consistency, Shreyas Gopal said that there is no secret behind it. He has put in the extra yard in the last one year and seemed glad that it is paying off now. Gopal said despite a dismal run for Rajasthan Royals in the tournament, he is having a good series and hopes to keep up the excellent work and get better.

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“There is no secret. I am just happy that my hard work in the past one year is paying off. Despite the kind of result we are getting as a team, personally, I had a decent season from the start and will just try to continue and get even better,” he opined.

Rajasthan Royals faces Mumbai Indians next on April 20 at their home turf. Ajinkya Rahane & Co need to give their best shot if they want to keep their hopes alive in this edition of IPL.