Former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are off to a tough start in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), as they suffered their second opening defeat. David Warner and co were beaten by seven wickets against fellow former champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
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As a result of the defeat, SRH are yet to get their opening win of the tournament. Being the only team to yet register a win this season, they are currently placed at the bottom of the table.
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As for the match, SRH decided to bat first. But, they posted a below-par total of 1424. Besides their batsmen, their bowlers too could not do much, as KKR chased the total down with ease, with 12 balls to spare.
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The decision to bat first surprised many, as the track usually assists the batsmen in the latter half of the match, besides dew playing a factor too in the second innings. Nonetheless, the SRH skipper defended his decision.
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"I think I got my decision right. For us, our strength is death bowling. The Kolkata boys showed us that if you can keep wickets at the end, that's what wins you games. I don't regret what I did at the beginning of the game and I stick by my decision," Warner was quoted as saying following the match.
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As for the match, KKR bowlers did a fine job with the ball, restricting the SRH batsmen by bowling in perfect line and length, hardly allowing them to have enough room to play and score big. Warner believes that no matter how hard opponents bowl, they need to find a way to accelerate, especially in the middle overs.
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"We have to try and go harder at the top. Can't help if the bowlers are bowling good lines and lengths. We need to push as hard as we can. You can see from our running between the wickets, we do do that. But, we got to improve our boundary percentage. I saw, I think 35 dot balls, which not acceptable in T20 cricket on a wicket that was actually nice to bat on," Warner added.
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SRH would now take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in their next game on Tuesday at the same venue. DC are off to a terrific start, having won their opening two games, as they sit atop the table.
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