Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins acknowledged Kolkata Knight Riders' dominance in the IPL 2024 final. Despite the heartbreaking loss in IPL 2024 final against KKR on May 26, Cummins expressed pride in his team's fighting spirit throughout the tournament. He highlighted how he led SRH out of a slump that plagued them in recent seasons. Cummins, already a decorated champion with World Test Championship, World Cup, and Ashes wins with Australia, successfully steered Hyderabad to a top-two finish and a place in the final. However, their dream run ended on a disappointing note.
"I thought they bowled fantastically. Fortunately, old mate Starcy turned it on again. Yeah, obviously it wasn't enough tonight. Totally outplayed. You know, you hope to hit a few boundaries early and get into the game, but they bowled fantastically well and didn't give us anything. It was similar last weekend in Ahmedabad; they bowled really well. So, yeah, full credit to them," Cummins said at the post-match press conference.
In his post-match comments, Cummins acknowledged the challenging nature of the pitch, suggesting it played a role in hindering SRH's ability to put up a big score.
"It was a bit of a tricky wicket. I think if we had managed to get 160, we would have felt like we were in the game. It didn't feel like a 200-run wicket. So again, we fell well short, but if we had found a few extra runs, it might have given us a chance," Cummins stated.
Even though they fell short in the final, Cummins remained positive about SRH's journey throughout IPL 2024.
"The style of our play, particularly with the bat, was impressive, scoring 250 runs three times. It was a great season. I loved how brave the guys were in high-pressure situations like the IPL. They just took the game on. It was a lot of fun," he stated, reflecting on the team's aggressive approach.
Cummins also found value in the experience of working alongside both veterans and up-and-coming talents within the SRH squad.
"The style of our play, particularly with the bat, was impressive, scoring 250 runs three times. It was a great season. I loved how brave the guys were in high-pressure situations like the IPL. They just took the game on. It was a lot of fun," Cummins further said.
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Cummins highlighted the valuable experience of working with a diverse squad. He mentioned the opportunity to mentor young players and learn from the seasoned veterans, creating a well-rounded team environment.
"I hadn't worked with many of the guys before, so it was great to work with some of the experienced players like Bhuvi, whom I've played against a lot. It was also fantastic to work with the younger batters and bowlers. These past couple of months have been amazing," Cummins added.
Cummins didn't forget to express his gratitude towards the fans, acknowledging the electric atmosphere they generated throughout the season.
"We play a lot here in India and usually see a sea of blue, so it's nice to have the crowd on our side for once. The support keeps getting bigger and better each year," Cummins concluded.
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