Shashank Singh (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
Mullanpour: In a match dominated by big shots and quick shifts in momentum, it was a quieter moment of confidence that stood out. Shreyas Iyer, who read the situation rather than the script, turned to part-time Shashank Singh for more than one over as Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head were opening for Sunrisers and dismantling Punjab’s front-line bowlers with ease. It wasn’t the most obvious move in a high-scoring match, but it reflected the captain’s desire to back instinct and a player willing to take responsibility. This short exchange in the middle, as Ayer later explained, ended up shaping the course of the game.
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“We all gathered together, and Shashank approached me and said, ‘Give me a chance.’ Ricky Ponting came and asked me, ‘What are your thoughts? I said: I will go with Shashank.”
“I needed someone to lighten the pace,” Iyer said, recalling the moment the momentum changed. This faith was instantly rewarded when Shashank returned the Sunrisers opener. “He lived up to my expectations; he lived up to what he said, kudos to him. At the end of the day, we all know we have the skills. All we need is a strong mentality,” Iyer added. We Miss Cummins: Aaron Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Varun Arun struck a measured tone while speaking about the dual realities that shaped his side’s match against Punjab Kings.
One, the absence of regular captain and premier fast bowler Pat Cummins; Others, roles that promised more than they ultimately delivered. “There’s no two ways to lose Pat (Cummins),” Aaron said, emphasizing the void left by the Australian speedster. “Obviously we miss him because he is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. He has been at the top of his game for a while now. He is someone who can get us wickets with the new ball, in the middle, and even at the death.” “I am sure he will come back soon and join the team,” Aaron added. If that’s part of the story, the other part is how the Sunrisers’ innings declined after a fast start. “The way we started, we thought we were going to get a few more runs in. There’s no two ways about it as we were going the distance,” Aaron admitted. “But you have to understand that even the opponents came to play. They bowled well during that middle phase, hit their lengths well and did not make it easy for our batsmen.”