MATCH REPORT
LSG, who are now in the top four on tally, secured a seven-wicket win over the 2016 champions.
Pooran hit four sixes – three of them coming from Abhishek Sharma – and three fours during his innings.
“We talked about adapting, we knew we could target that one from the spin, that was until my match and luckily it went well (on Abhishek’s 31-run over), j “enjoyed my bat. It’s important to target that 6th bowler, it’s a batting game, no risk, no reward, you have to work the games,” Pooran said after the game.
Pooran knew the SRH stimulators would use the yorker and its slower variation on death and he was in for it.
“I have played enough international cricket to know how to handle situations, I expected bowlers to throw yorkers and slower balls and I was ready for that. Even in T20I cricket I would like to beat longer,” Pooran added.
LSG skipper Krunal Pandya felt his bowlers had done a good job of limiting the SRH to less than 200 after the start they got in Powerplay.
“With the way they were going I thought 200 but we fell back a lot towards the end, especially by Yash and Avesh. At this level anything is possible, we had the belief and with players like Stoinis and Pooran we had to Believe Abhishek’s passing changed the momentum,” Krunal said.
The skipper praised Prerak Mankad, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 64 from 45 balls.
“He (Prerak Mankad) is coming for his first season and coming out and beating like that shows a lot of character, really happy for him to come here and score these points. Even he will believe he belongs here.”
Player of the match Mankad said he was initially unable to connect against the spinners but gained confidence as the match progressed.
“I was trying to hit the spinners and couldn’t connect. I knew Mayank (Markande) would try to take me out and I played against him in domestic cricket so I took a chance. Thanks to the leadership for giving me this opportunity.”
Normally a mid-order hitter, No. 3 is not a familiar position for Mankad.
“I didn’t hit a lot at No. 3, but I hit in the top four. I support my ability and my strength, it worked out in the end. Whatever happens at the other end shouldn’t not affect me, and because of Stoinis and Pooran, we won this game.”
(With PTI entries)
