From Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer to Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma, everyone had a jaw-dropping reaction to Pat Cummins’ sensational hitting to equal record of fastest Indian Premier League (IPL) fifty. While Cummins hit six balls out of the park in his 15-ball 56, Shreyas revealed that the Aussie was struggling in the practice session one day before the game and was “getting bowled now and then”.
“Extraordinary! I couldn't believe the way he (Cummins) was hitting the ball. Because yesterday in the nets, he was getting bowled now and then, I was batting in the nets beside him then,” Shreyas said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Former English cricketer and commentator Nick Knight also revealed that Cummins was struggling to middle the ball after coming from Australia’s tour of Pakistan.
Coming in to bat at no.7 in the 14th over, Cummins turned the game in KKR’s favour in a matter of 17 balls including the 35-run over of Daniel Sams. The Australian all-rounder admitted that he did not just surprise his teammates but himself as well.
“I probably think I'm most surprised by that innings. I'm glad that it came off. I was thinking of having a swing if it was in my area. (I) wasn't trying to overthink it. (It is) very satisfying to do it on my first game this season. (It) was just trying to pepper the shorter boundary,” Cummins said after winning the ‘player of the match’ award in his first game of the season.
KKR opener Venkatesh Iyer had the best in the house to witness IPL history in making. While Venkatesh played himself in and scored 50 runs from 41 deliveries at a strike rate of 121.95, Cummins went ballistic straight away.
“For everyone other than Pat it (pitch) looked tricky. Really happy that I was there till the end, Gotta give it to Pat, unbelievable hitting on display on a pitch that was actually very tricky to bat on,” Venkatesh told the broadcasters after his team’s five-wicket win.
