David Warner, who blasted a scintillating century against Kolkata Knight Riders on Super Sunday, has praised his bowlers following Sunrisers Hyderabad's 48-run win at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad. (Warner credits bowlers after SRH annihilate KKR)
Warner powered his way to 126 off just 59 balls, laced with 10 fours and eight sixes, to help the defending champions post a massive 209/3 in their Indian Premier League clash against the two-time champions.
Bowling has been Hyderabad's strength for a few seasons now, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearheading the pace battery. (Yuvraj miffed after Uthappa pushes Kaul)
The franchise has also invested in the young fast bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Siddharth Kaul and Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan this season and it has returned good dividends.
On Sunday night again, Siraj and Kaul bowled brilliantly and removed a free-scoring Sunil Narine and skipper Gautam Gambhir respectively to reduce KKR to 12/2.
However, Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey attacked from the word go and
shared a 78-run stand off 51 balls for the third wicket. But Siraj and Kaul held their nerves and kept tightening the noose before Bhuvneshwar broke the dangerous partnership when caught and bowled Pandey for 39.
Pandey's departure did not deter Uthappa who just attacked every bowler and slammed his 22nd fifty in the IPL. The required rate kept mounting and Siraj was called back to bowl the 13th over. He bowled a widish delivery, Uthappa chased it and holed out to Warner at long off.
Siraj and Kaul both finished with identical two for 26 from their four overs to restrict KKR to 161/7. Bhuvneshwar too bagged a couple to take his tally to 20 wickets and remain the leading wicket-taker this season.
"Siraj is learning on the go and that is what we expect. It is fantastic. That is the quality of this Sunrisers unit. We are not harsh critics but we allow the guys to get chances and the way he has come out and taken his chances is fantastic," Warner said at a post match chat with VVS Laxman on iplt20.com.
Warner was also pleased to have Bhuvneshwar in the team.