Home
Gujarat Titans (GT) bowlers were clinical in their approach until the last five overs. From 126/4, they went on to post 199/5. Tilak Varma unleashed carnage in slog overs, reaching his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) ton, punishing Ashok Sharma and Prasidh Krishna in 18th and 20th over respectively. The bowling effort left GT batting coach Matthew Hayden fuming, describing it as a ‘horror story’. Hayden says that slog overs were poorly executed and key players like Krishna are going for big runs in the tournament.
“I feel like ‘one-dimensional’ is very unfair on a world-class bowling attack, but I will take on board it was a poorly executed bowling effort this evening,” Hayden admitted in the post-match press conference.
“When you look back at those last four overs, that was just a horror story. You know, 73 off the last four is unacceptable for world-class players.
“It has been a number of times in this tournament where key players like Prasidh have gone for big runs in their overs. It was purely an executional thing.”
Hayden praises Rabada
Hayden lauded Kagiso Rabada who struck thrice with the new ball and how he troubled batters by his pace and hitting the right areas.
“KG Rabada had an outstanding day. In fact, he is having a very good tournament. His pace today ... it was a nightmare for batting units. He was consistently above 140, hitting 150 in very good areas. There's a world class player exactly where we needed him to be,” Hayden said.
Nehra to talk to GT bowlers
Ashok had a forgettable outing as he conceded 38 runs from three overs. In the 18th over, Ashok went for 26 runs including three sixes and two fours. In the final over, Krishna conceded 22 runs, featuring two sixes and as many fours. Hayden believes that 175 would have been a par score on the surface. Also, following the match, Ashish Nehra is set to have a conversation with the bowlers for an average performance.
“Ashok is a young player requiring at this level some touch. I'm sure that Ashish Nehra will be in his ears and all the bowlers, considering that performance which was both very average. I think on that wicket, 175 was a par score,” he further added.
Following the 99-run loss, GT are now sixth on the points table with three losses and as many wins from six games. Their next game is against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 24.
ADVERTISEMENT
