IPL 2019 | Shikhar Dhawan’s fearless cricket is helping us, says Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has stated that opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan’s aggressive approach and fearless cricket at the top is helping Delhi Capitals to win matches. Dhawan has been the most successful batsman for Delhi Capitals so far in the 12th season, having notched up 347 runs in 10 innings.
Delhi Capitals were given a target 164 runs after putting Kings XI Punjab to bat first at the former's home ground. DC had lost Prithvi Shaw for 13 runs in the fourth over, but Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan held on to their wickets in a 92-run partnership that followed. Skipper Iyer stood at 39 when Dhawan was dismissed for 56 in 41 balls, but the damage was done as the equation had come down to 48 off 39 balls. Eventually, the Delhi-based franchise went on to win the game with five wickets in the final over, and the skipper was all praise for the swashbuckling batsman.
“Dhawan got us off to a good start and that made it easier for the batsmen to follow. We want our top-order batsmen to play fearless cricket and that's what happened. Dhawan is playing fearless cricket right throughout the season and that's helping us,” said Iyer, at the post-match presentation ceremony, reported PTI.
The Ricky Ponting-coached side has won all but one of their away game but had lost three out of four games at home prior to this encounter. The DC batsman had their cast cut out on the slow Feroz Shah Kotla pitch, and even their bowlers are suited to play on fast-paced surfaces. However, the skipper was delighted as they came on top in Saturday’s encounter.
“Really satisfied on winning this one after losing three home games. The way we played, it was really good to see. This pitch isn't suitable for our batsmen who like to play it on the rise, this one's a really slow wicket,” expressed the 24-year-old.
The skipper has been the side’s second most successful batsman with 327 runs, and even in the encounter against KXIP, he played an unbeaten knock of 58 in 49 balls to ensure that his team sails through. The Mumbai batsman hoped that he continues with his run in the upcoming matches.
“It's really important to finish the games and today I did that. Either of the top four batsmen has to stay there till the end and take the team through. I took the responsibility today and I hope to continue that in the matches to come,” the right-handed batsman asserted.
DC bowled extremely well to restrict KXIP to 163 and leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers. The 18-year-old had scalped the prized wicket of KL Rahul in his very first over. He was taken apart in his next over for 16 runs by Chris Gayle but came back and dismissed him too. He also got Sam Curran out for a duck and ended up with figures of 3/40. The skipper was all praise for the Nepal lad and claimed that veteran spinner Amit Mishra’s presence has helped him.
“Sandeep is a very confident lad. Even if he goes for runs, he comes back hard. He's fearless and positive in his approach, presence of Amit Mishra also helps him,” Iyer signed off.
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