IPL 2021: Captain Trusted In My Ability; The Wicket Was Gripping A Bit - Shahbaz Ahmed Reveals The Reason Virat Kohli Gave Him The 17th Over

On Wednesday, left-arm spinner, Shahbaz Ahmed turned the game on its head in favour of Royal Challengers Bangalore when he dismissed three key Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman in a single over. The Chepauk saw another low-scoring encounter in which Virat Kohli’s side came out as the winner by just 6 runs.

SRH was well placed in the chase of 150 when 35 runs were required off 24 balls with 8 wickets in hand. However, they collapsed – but it was not totally unpredictable as teams have found it much difficult to score runs in the death this season in Chennai.

Shahbaz Ahmed, who has played a cameo of 14 runs while batting at number 3, dismissed Jonny Bairstow, Manish Pandey, and Abdul Samad – all edging their slogs across the line – in the 17th over to bring RCB to the door of victory.

After the game, he revealed that Virat Kohli had faith in him that the Haryana-born spinner will utilize the helpful conditions.

“It was a very tough situation. But the captain trusted in my ability, and I managed to perform well. So I want to thank my captain. He gave me the 17th over because the wicket was gripping a bit. That helped my bowling, and I was successful in taking those wickets,” Shahbaz Ahmed said to the broadcaster, Star Sports.

I was ready to bowl the next over but Kohli had confidence in Siraj: Shahbaz Ahmed

Shahbaz Ahmed bowled 2 overs for 7 runs and 3 wickets. However, the skipper chose not to bowl him any further. Instead, he went for pacer Mohammed Siraj for the 19th over. The move seemed to backfire when on the first ball Rashid Khan smacked Siraj for a six.

However, Siraj, who had initial figures of 3-1-14-1, came back strongly with the wicket of Jason Holder and didn’t gave any further boundary. Harshal Patel continued his good form in the death overs from the first game, and saw RCB home.

“I was ready to bowl the next over as well, but (Mohammed) Siraj is a good death bowler. Kohli was confident about him. So, no problem,” the 26-year-old stated.

After victories in both their games, Virat Kohli’s side lead the points table; they will next take on the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday afternoon.

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