'The captain trusted in my ability and I managed to perform well'- Shahbaz Ahmed thanks Virat Kohli

Shahbaz Ahmed proved to be the match-winner for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side with the ball in the match against the Hyderabad outfit. The left-arm spinner scalped 3 wickets in the 2 overs that he bowled, and gave away just 7 runs in the process. And most importantly, he picked up 3 wickets in the 17th over of the SRH innings to change the fortunes of the match in favor of the Virat Kohli-led side.

And now, Ahmed has opened up on his sensational spell. The 26-year-old revealed that even though the situation was tough, Virat Kohli had faith in his abilities. Adding that he managed to perform well, Ahmed said that he wants to thank Kohli.

He also revealed the reason why Kohli tossed the ball to him in the 17th over of the SRH innings. Ahmed stated that the pitch was gripping and that was the reason he was successful in picking up wickets. He also added that he bowled only 2 overs as Mohammed Siraj is a very good death bowler and Kohli has confidence in Siraj’s abilities.

“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. 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,” said Ahmed in an interview on IPLT20.com.

“I am very happy that the captain is having that faith in me,” says RCB bowler Harshal Patel

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel also heaped praise on RCB skipper Virat Kohli. Patel revealed that the real test of a player is when he faces pressure. The right-arm pacer also added that there has been a pattern in the matches played in Chennai. The RCB pacer explained that as the ball gets old, run-scoring becomes difficult on the surface. Patel concluded by stating that RCB’s aim was to build pressure by bowling dot balls.

“When you face pressure, that is your real test. I have always tried to put myself in those situations whenever I am leading. And I am really happy that the captain is having that faith in me and putting me in those situations. There has been a pattern in these games. It is easier to score at the start of the innings when the ball is hard. But as it gets old, run-making also becomes difficult.

Our aim was to stay in the game throughout, keep building up pressure with dot balls. We knew wickets can fall quickly in the death overs, and the game can turn around. Looking at the last three games that have been played here (Chennai), we knew that if we stayed in the game, things could change,” concluded Patel.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side currently occupies the top place in the points table, after having won both the matches that they have played in IPL 2021 thus far.