IPL 2018 | Chennai’s batting has been like our bowling, feels VVS Laxman

IPL 2018 | Chennai’s batting has been like our bowling, feels VVS Laxman

no photo

Making a statement ahead of the qualifier two, VVS Laxman has highly praised Chennai Super Kings' batting effort in this ongoing IPL and compared it with Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling department. The former Indian star also mentioned that losing four games in a row doesn't impact on knockout stages.

On the eve of the second qualifier between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, SRH mentor VVS Laxman has backed the franchise to come up with a good performance unlike the match against Chennai in the first qualifier. Last-over defeat to CSK on Tuesday was the fourth loss in a trot for SRH - and third in a row to CSK this season. However, looking back at the defeat, Laxman felt the franchise did a remarkable job in putting up a competitive performance by pushing the match to the last over against the seven-time finalists.

“It didn’t help that we lost our captain and most consistent batsman of the tournament, Kane Williamson, as well as Shakib Al Hasan to catches down the leg-side. As a team, when two key batsmen get out in such fashion, it is easy to start feeling that the rub of the green isn’t going your way, but our campaign has been characterized by a positive approach and attitude,” VVS Laxman wrote in his column for TOI.

“Yusuf Pathan first, and then Carlos Brathwaite in grand fashion, showcased those virtues though, at the break, we felt that 139 was about 20-25 runs too few. We have great confidence in our bowling, and like the consummate professional that he is, Bhuvi once again led the way. Fully recovered from the mid-season injury, he got the ball to swing. Our only chance was to take wickets, and after Bhuvi provided the breakthrough, the rest chipped in to dent Chennai’s chase,” added VVS Laxman, who played 22 IPL matches between 2008 and 2011.

After losing four wickets inside seven overs, SRH were powered to 139/7 by Carlos Braithwaite’s explosive 29-ball 43, and then their pace bowlers and Rashid Khan put up a magnificent show to reduce CSK to 62 for 6. However, South African captain Faf du Plessis calmly guided the innings with an unbeaten 67 from 42 balls. Putting his insights on the terrific show, the SRH mentor heaped praise on CSK’s batting effort and compared it with Hyderabad’s bowling, which is touted as the best bowling side of the Indian Premier League.

“Chennai’s batting has been like our bowling. Where we have found means to defend low totals, they have unearthed different batting heroes, and this time, it was the turn of the experienced Faf du Plessis to put his hand up. Chennai has tended to take the game deep and refused to blink in adversity, trusting themselves to get the job done. Faf symbolized that and played a brilliant knock under the circumstances,” explained VVS Laxman.

Talking about the high-voltage encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad today at the Eden Gardens for a ticket to the final, Laxman mentioned that losing 4 games in a trot doesn’t have any impact on knockouts and they are looking forward to the game with much excitement.

“I know we have now lost four games in a row, but in a knockout situation, that doesn’t mean anything. We start Qualifier 2 against Kolkata Knight Riders with a clean slate, knowing that it will be a huge challenge but we are also excited at the prospect,” concluded the former Indian batsman.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all