If we can't field the players, we can let them go to other franchises: MS Dhoni

Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a tense 4 run win over Rising Pune Supergiants at Vishakhapatnam to maintain their dominance at the top of the points table. Batting first, the SRH side was restricted to a functional total of 137/8 in 20 overs. Shikhar Dhawan (33 from 27 balls) and Kane Williamson (32 from 37 balls) were the top contributors with the bat. RPS leg-spinner Adam Zampa snapped 6/19, the second best bowling figures in the IPL, was the top performer with the ball.

RPS, in reply, took the match till the last over but eventually submitted for 133/8, losing the match closely by 4 runs. MS Dhoni (30 runs 20 balls) and Thisara Perera (17 from 13 balls) played quickfire cameos and took the match very close, and keep the match alive till the last over. But, their efforts eventually weren’t enough as the SRH bowlers managed to contain the duo and defend the target.

Adam Zampa was adjudged Man of the Match for his fantastic spell. Zampa said: “Has not sunk in yet but a disappointing end to the game. Knew that the batsmen would come hard. We were under pressure there but leg-spinners are always in the game. Dhoni did not really tell me that I had to bowl the last over. Just picked up the ball and threw it on the ground. I wanted to bowl obviously – it was spinning and was pretty tough out there. He just told me that leg side was his (Hooda’s) strength and asked me to fire it wider (referring to a mid-pitch chat that led to a wicket). We have to try and finish this season well now. India and Indian people, the pressure of fans, the crowd is a different experience.”

Winning skipper David Warner looked in Jolly mood. Warner said: “It was a very close game. I knew the wicket would be slow and tough, and hence runs on board were key. We were 25-30 runs below par. When I came back, I saw 20 odd for 1 after the powerplay, all sorts of thoughts came to my mind. The guys are a great bunch of lads. We are always in each other’s faces, jumping around in pools. Everybody comes out with a smile and gives their 100 percent. I tend to sit back, assess the condition and then do my job. We have a great bunch of support staff. Last couple of games have been phenomenal. Zampa has a big future ahead. Dhoni had good faith in him to give him the last over of the innings.”

The disappointing time for MS Dhoni continued. Dhoni said: “Well, close games are tough ones to digest but you also have to look at what went right. We won 3 games comfortably and other games went down to the wire. Something is not right for us. The new ball bowling was good and we did well to restrict them. If you compare the bowling attacks, their’s can exploit the condition more. We lost Rahane early and a partnership was important but we kept losing wickets. Zampa was very good. The first few games, we played with the best eleven. Wickets were something that we lacked and he (Zampa) gave us that stability too. What’s important is to see the bench strength now. If we can’t field the players, we can let them go to other franchises. It’s to be seen who grabs the opportunity and it will make it easy for us in the next season.”

Also, read – Twitter Reactions: SRH clinches a thriller as RPS bow out of the IPL