Riding on Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul, Gujarat Titans restricted Delhi Capitals to 130/8. Chasing 131 to win, the defending champions Gujarat Titans had been diminished to 32 for 4 at one stage however Pandya scored 53-ball 59 not out to maintain them within the hunt.
Rahul Tewatia then smashed a 7-ball 20 which included three successive sixes however with 12 wanted within the final over Ishant Sharma (2/23) held his nerves to maintain the defending champions at 125 for six.
“Obviously, we would have taken 129 on any given day. Those last couple of wickets and at the end, Rahul got us back in the game. I tried my best but could not capitalise. It boils down to how I was not able to finish the game,” Pandya stated through the post-match presentation.
“We were hoping to get a couple of big overs in the middle but at that point of time we could not get rhythm. It was new for Abhinav (Manohar) as well.”
“I think it’s just that this game I think we lost because I could not get my rhythm and we kept losing wickets at the start and that put us under pressure. We like to take it deep and get a couple of big overs which we could not get.”
Delhi quicks had been on the cash, making an early breakthrough, as Gujarat misplaced three wickets contained in the powerplay.
“Full marks to their bowlers as well and full ownership for my side where I could not finish the game. I should’ve. The wicket was good enough,” Pandya stated.
“I think it was more about the wicket pressure. I don’t think the wicket played much role. It was a tad slower than what we are used to here. But they bowled really well.
“We misplaced a few early wickets the place we needed to take a while. We couldn’t get the rhythm within the center. Intent needed to be there…when you maintain dropping wickets, it is tough to maintain the intent as effectively.”
Shami (4/11 in four overs) was lethal with the new ball as he knocked the wind out of the Capitals’ top order.
“I really feel sorry for him. If you bowl like that, then you definitely get the crew on 129, I feel batters upset. I do not suppose the ball did loads. I feel it is simply that Mohammed Shami’s ability set which he has and he made the ball speak.
“Otherwise, I think for fast bowlers, the wicket did not have much assistance. But the way he bowled four on the trot and got us in the game, full credit.
“As I stated, batters and notably myself didn’t end and we upset him.”
I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH OUR BATTING: WARNER
With this win, DC reignited their playoff hopes.
Skipper David Warner credited the bowlers for their third victory but was at a loss of words to explain their struggles with the bat.
“Our bowlers had been wonderful. Our batters struggled however credit score to the way in which Shami bowled. Credit to the way in which Aman and Ripal performed from then on to rise up that rating,” he said.
“We simply discover methods to lose wickets in clumps, I at all times hate it when there is a run out. I do not know what’s occurring with our batting.
“We tried playing postively today with the bat, didn’t come off. We then wanted to come out and swing the ball, get early wickets.
The Delhi quicks Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje and Ishant Sharma shared five wickets amongst them
“Khaleel did effectively after getting back from harm, and Ishant is perpetually getting youthful. Anrich is our most constant loss of life bowler, however could not get it proper at present. But Ishant was so clear with what he wished to execute for us.”
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com