IPL 10, Match 53, Who Said What - Gujarat Lions vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

It was yet another game that would determine whether the team advances in the tournament or waits for the other results and some permutations and combinations to go their way for the qualification. The defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad played Gujarat Lions who were playing their last ever game in the IPL and were off to a flier.

Being asked to bat first Dwayne Smith and Ishan Kishan had all their weapons ready and attacked from the onset. Both the openers scored blasting half centuries and GL had 100 runs on the board in 10 overs. After that kind of start, one expected the team to get over 200 runs by the end of the inning but a wicket triggered second and there was a slide.

Mohammed Siraj picked a couple of quick wickets and Rashid Khan also chipped in with a couple and the Lions were completely off the trail. Except Ravindra Jadeja’s 20 no other batsman apart from the openers entered double figures. Siraj ended the inning with 4 wickets while purple cap holder Bhuvneshwar Kumar also bagged two.

154 was a good total on a slow Kanpur wicket but not good enough to challenge the power packed Sunrisers Hyderabad batting. Though they were without Yuvraj Singh in this game Vijay Shankar put his hand up and scored a brilliant half century. Shikhar Dhawan who has been consistent for SRH failed this time and David Warner opted for a calm and composed approach.

The chase was through in a very professional manner as the defending champs marched into the playoffs. Gujarat Lions’ had a good start with Praveen Kumar giving them a couple of quick wickets but no other bowler looked threatening enough. Captain Suresh Raina had little to say as the team concluded their IPL journey with this game.

Raina said: It’s been that way for a couple of games, lack of experienced bowlers cost us. Credit to SRH, they had a game plan and went along with it. It was a disappointing year this time around, but there was some positives – the bowling of Basil Thampi was excellent, Ishan Kishan batted very well.

Disappointing season, we need to forget this year – we didn’t play well as an unit. Thanks to the crowd in Kanpur and Rajkot, the support here was outstanding and the facilities were great as well. Thankful to the administrators and the groundsmen for their work. We had a fine platform set today, but we lost our way completely after the first 10 overs.

He anchored the inning for his team today and that also helped young Shankar score his maiden IPL fifty. The skipper was pleased with his team’s effort first with the ball and then how they went about the chase.

David Warner said: It would have been a shame to miss out on the playoffs. We tried to communicate after the first wicket. When we lost couple of wickets we realized the wicket was slowing up. Credit to Siraj for the way he bowled. India have got some brilliant pace bowling names.. from Bumrahs to Bhuvis to Ishants, the list just goes on. I think it is all about batting around to each other.

To have the luxury to have guys come and rotate strike in the middle overs. We are very happy. With the way this wicket was, we knew this was going to be tough as the ball got older. Obviously we are not worrying about the next few games. We will take one game at a time. Thanks to all the people who came out to watch the last couple of games.

A young Indian fast bowler picked a 4-wicket haul and was awarded the Man of the Match for his effort.

Mohammed Siraj said: I liked my 4th wicket the most. The wicket was a bit slow so I cut down the pace to prevent runs. It helps a lot to bowl with Bhuvi and Siddarth Kaul. Bhuvi keeps advising on where to bowl to which batsman.