In a manner of speaking, the Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled out the rug from under everyone’s feet when they qualified for the playoffs of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League by defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders by five wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday night.
When the season started, not many would have predicted this. And according to coach Tom Moody, proving them wrong was a most satisfying feeling.
“A lot of people at the beginning of the tournament gave us no hope whatsoever. So, it is very rewarding and satisfying that we managed to evolve as a team, gel well as a team and qualify (for the playoffs),” Moody said after their victory. While he said the team were excited about the playoffs, he denied that they would be under anymore pressure than they were heading into the game against Kolkata. A game, he reminded everyone, that had been a knockout match for them.
“The challenge ahead is an exciting one. But I don’t think the playoffs will bring any more pressure than today. Today’s game was a final for us. The next game is no different than any other game we have played in this tournament. Our preparation will be no different.”
In the chase of 131, the Eagles had gotten off to a rollicking start before the KKR spinners slowed down the run-rate. A late collapse provided a twist in the tale and it looked like the match was going to go down to the wire before Darren Sammy took them home with two consecutive sixes.
“The quick wickets put us under a little bit of pressure. But it really depended upon how we reacted in that situation and we reacted well. We did not panic. We have experienced people in the middle.”