IPL 9 :Suryakumar Yadav holds nerve in close game

In what was a battle of nerves, Kolkata Knight Riders were the ones to hold them better as they registered a two-wicket win over Rising Pune Supergiants in the 20th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 on Sunday (April 24). Batting first, the hosts Pune managed to post a competitive total of 160 for five thanks to the efforts of Ajinkya Rahane (67) and MS Dhoni (23* off 12). However, it was a second fifty in as many games that went in vain for Rahane as Kolkata managed to get over the line with two deliveries to spare. Suryakumar Yadav (60) was the star performer for the Knight Riders while Umesh Yadav, with a six in the final over, helped his team prevail.
      IPL needed this kind of Close games which throbs veins and a pound heart. To start with, Gambhir and Uthappa failed for once - only 11 runs between them tonight - and it was a test, more than a game, for KKR from then on. They passed, on crutches, thanks to Russell's late-order assault and that desperately big six from Umesh Yadav. On a pitch that could be called Dhoni-loyal - slow, low and aiding turn right away - Suryakumar Yadav sped through the middle overs with his maiden IPL fifty. Arresting the charge was Bhatia, beating Shakib with (lack of) pace and foxing Yusuf Pathan after his mini-assault off Murugan Ashwin. With 44 off 26 required then, things looked tight but not impossible. Suryakumar then fell to Murugan Ashwin, Russell's Caribbean power took over for a 11-ball 17 and a humdinger beckoned. Sathish and Chawla were at the crease, latter got out with run-a-ball required in the last over and Yadav spoilt all the fun with a maximum..


Gambhir: "It is a very important win. There was pressure on the middle order and they were tested. Surya batted unbelievably. Manish was a big blow. He was hitting it well and was our consistent No. 3. The way Surya batted, showed his versatility. Can play the new ball as well as finish games off. We could have been more professional with our death bowling, 17 off the last over is too many. This was a wicket where 160 was above par. The guys were professional. Yusuf also had a hit and there were more positives than negatives."


Dhoni: "It was the length (on where they lost the game). I thought it was difficult to hit the spinners as I told them not to pitch it up. But, I think after that there were some 5-6 sixes hit, 30 runs too many. It was a good score and there are no excuses for us. When there is pressure on the individual, they are backing off. It (taking responsibility) is a very strong character to have and not many have that. What really matters is, how you execute the plans on field. If we have to compete in this tournament, our bowling unit has to step up. Murugan Ashwin is new to the arena, but he has to take care of things which are under his control. When you have the bat or ball in your hand, it is up to you, nobody can help you. There are many bowlers who are not part of a settled team, that is something we need to look into. We also should score 10-15 runs more.


Suryakumar: "It is just the way I play. I was told to go out there and express myself. Not happy that I didn't finish the game, but happy we won the game. When I went in to bat the ball was coming on and the first few overs were crucial. So, I thought we should score some runs at the beginning to make it easy in the end. We knew if any of the batsmen play till the end, we would finish the game. Winning against this challenging side, on a challenging pitch gives us confidence going to Mumbai."


Suryakumar Yadav is the Man of the Match