IPL 2019 | Player Ratings: Shimron Hetmyer, Gurkeerat Singh Mann ensure single-handed success for RCB against SRH

05/04/2019

After the top-order failure, Shimron Hetmyer and Gurkeerat Singh Mann held their nerves and stitched a match-winning 144-run partnership to help RCB secure a four-wicket win over SRH. However, the purpose with which AB de Villiers batted tonight should be given bigger introspection.

Parthiv Patel (3/10): The Gujarat pocket dynamite has earned a reputation of scoring cheeky runs for the team at every second of disposal he got this season. In an inconsequential game for the franchise, yet an important one for Sunrisers, Parthiv whipped his bat across against a length delivery that gained some extra bounce off the surface and he was caught by Manish Pandey for a duck.

Virat Kohli (3/10): Not only RCB fans wanted Virat Kohli, it was KKR fans, who were also glued to the TV set, because a lot was dependent on him to ensure their qualification. That, however, remained a day dream as the RCB skipper could only manage to score 16 runs off 7 balls. With his dismissal - a regular framework of slip catch - Kohli ended his season on an unlikely note, just the way he started it.

AB de Villiers (0/10): Same to same. Nothing more to write. AB de Villiers batted without any purpose and when he tried to pull off an half-hearted drive against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, it ended up on the safe hands of a mic’d up Martin Guptill. The simple fact that he was lethargic, no matter the situation, I wouldn’t open his account at all.

Shimron Hetmyer (9.5/10): Regular under-performance at the start of the season cost Shimron Hetmyer his place in the side, but RCB surely knew what he was capable of. That was on show tonight and after a top-order failure, Hetmyer showed them what he has got and played a 75-run innings of incredible substance to help RCB secure a self-satisfying win.

Gurkeerat Singh Mann (8.5/10): It was a brave innings by Gurkeerat Singh Mann, who with nothing to lose, played with freedom and maturity. Seeing Shimron Hetmyer going berserk at the other end, the Punjab batsman started playing second fiddle before unleashing himself to such an extent that the Bangalore-based franchise ended with at least a respectable 11 points and didn’t face the ignominy of ending with less than 10 points.

Colin de Grandhomme (5/10): When the Kiwi came out to bat, the equation suddenly became a disastrous one for the home team and he needed to keep his calm in front of the relentless pressure exerted by Khaleel Ahmed. However, along with the company of Umesh Yadav, he weathered that phase and remained not out to help bring RCB’s smiles back.

Washington Sundar (7.5/10): It was a comeback, ladies and gentlemen. Washington Sundar, known for his power-play brilliance, ensured that the top-order wouldn’t have any respite from his relentless flatter line. By sticking to his newly-developed propensity of staying in the line and leg, Sundar sent three Sunrisers batsmen packing to culminate a spell that was, in one word, “Brilliant”.

Umesh Yadav (3/10): The thing with Umesh Yadav is that if you were investing in his shares, you'd have to be ready to rock and roll between royalty and beggary and you never know which Yadav is going to turn up for the game. Take tonight for example as Yadav put up a show of precision and intent by giving away only 18 runs in three overs. However, as it has been often proved in RCB’s barren history, Yadav brought his second personality to the fore and gave away 28 runs in the last over to undo all the goodwill he received from Chinnaswamy audience. However, take nothing away from the man for holding his nerve and guide his team home with the bat in the last over.

Navdeep Saini (6.5/10): The RCB pacer was entrusted with the responsibility of pace unit, considering Umesh Yadav’s fragile form, and he gave his all for that. Notwithstanding the fact that, 39 runs were registered against him, the Delhi pacer was successful in sending Wriddhiman Saha and hard-hitter Mohammed Nabi back in the hut.

Kulwant Khejroliya (5.5/10): One would look at the intensity with which Khejroliya was bowling and say why didn’t RCB use him earlier in the season when things were tough. On an unresponsive wicket, Khejroliya managed to move the ball off the seam and deceived Kane Williamson on more than one occasion. Eventually, the Delhi pacer ended with one wicket and spent only 29 runs for that - not a bad one at Chinnaswamy.

Yuzvendra Chahal (7.5/10): Year in and year out, Yuzvendra Chahal has been a massive strategic allegiance for RCB and never ever failed to deliver entirely. Sure enough the wicket had something for spinners and with the ball drifting in regularly, Chahal’s unpredictable googlies became a force in itself. To bring home the point, he secured his 100th IPL wicket as well while conceding runs at 6 rpo.