Follow UsAlmost everyone expected Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to not just thrash Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Hyderabad but humiliate LSG by posting a 300+ total.
However, as it turned out, an extremely green LSG bowling line-up restricted SRH to just 190/9, with none of the SRH big hitters passing 50. And then, in response, LSG got to the target without breaking a sweat thanks to fifties from Nicholas Pooran (70) and Mitchell Marsh (52).
SRH’s bowling was ineffective that day, and they were poor overall, but the side’s spin bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan claimed that the team was merely ‘unlucky’ against LSG.
“We can’t win every match. Winning and losing happens; it is part of the game. We are all confident and will bounce back,” Muralitharan said ahead of the side’s clash against Delhi Capitals (DC).
“We were unlucky against Lucknow Super Giants in the first innings. Then, Pooran (Nicholas) played one of the best innings for them. These things happen.”
SRH have struggled with the ball so far this season. They won their first game against RR but still conceded a whopping 242 runs. Then, LSG knocked off 193 in just 16.1 overs, with every bowler barring Pat Cummins going over 10 runs per over.
But despite the false start, Muralitharan backed the SRH bowling unit.
“We have a world-class bowling attack with some of the lead performers in the IPL in the last two seasons, with the likes of Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel. We have leg-spinner Adam Zampa and the captain, Cummins, who is a great bowler,” Muralitharan said.
When asked if SRH can breach the 300-run mark like many having been saying, Muralitharan said the number is out of his team’s reach.
“It is the media which is setting a target of 300-plus in this IPL. It needs only two batters to come good to cross that milestone. Nothing is impossible,” Muralitharan said.
SRH will take on DC at Vizag in their third game of the season on March 30 (Sunday). It will be a day game.