IPL 2019 | Shreyas Iyer left 'speechless' after Delhi Capitals' loss

04/02/2019

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Shreyas Iyer has stated that he was at a loss of words after Delhi Capital’s appalling loss against Kings XI Punjab where they lost seven wickets for eight runs in a shocking collapse on Monday. The skipper also credited KXIP players who held their nerves after being put on the backfoot.

Kings XI Punjab could only manage a below-par total of 166 and despite Prithvi Shaw’s dismissal for a duck, the Delhi Capitals were cruising towards victory and brought the equation down to 23 in 21 deliveries. However, what happened thereafter left everyone dumbstruck as the Capitals slipped from 144/3 to 152 all out in a span of less than two overs.

“I am really speechless. It is a crucial match and losing such matches is not going to benefit us,” said Shreyas Iyer, at the post match press, reported PTI.

Rishabh Pant and Colin Ingram had crossed the 50-run mark for the fourth wicket partnership and it looked like it will be a cakewalk for the Capitals as they only required 30 runs from the last four overs. Nevertheless, a huge collapse was triggered as soon as Mohammed Shami bowled Rishabh Pant. The pacer dismissed another batsman, Ravichandran Ashwin effected a run-out and all-rounder Sam Curran wreaked havoc with his four wickets, including a hat trick.

“Really disappointing. With the way we were going, we came to run-a-ball and to lose from there, really disappointing. We didn’t play smart cricket and Punjab outplayed us in all the departments. They were really cool and calm in that situation. Our batsmen did not taking initiative to win the game,” added the skipper.

On the other hand, the Kings’ skipper Ravichandran Ashwin was pleased with his bowlers’ efforts, who covered up for their batsmen’s mistakes and took the match away from Delhi Capitals in a matter of minutes. The Mike Hesson-coached side went ahead with as many as three spinners, Murugan Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and the captain himself. However, only two wickets came from the spinners as the rest of the wickets were scalped by the pacers Shami, Curran and Hardus Viljoen.

The Delhi capitals will take on the in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 4 at Feroz Shah Kotla in their next encounter.