Malinga is a very underrated bowler but he is a pure T20 bowler with all-round ability: Aaron

Sunrisers Hyderabad pacers, led by Eshan Malinga, rose to the occasion to script a 10-run win over Chennai Super Kings in the Southern Derby at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday night.

Sri Lankan pacer Eshan Malinga played a very important role in the match which went down to the wire. Malinga and Nitish Kumar Reddy did not allow Chennai Super Kings’ batters to gain the upper hand after the Powerplay.

Malinga and Nitish fashion Sunrisers’ thrilling 10-run victory over Chennai Super Kings

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling coach Varun Aaron heaped praise on Malinga for his excellent bowling performance. “Eshan Malinga is a very underrated bowler. Since the start of the campaign, he has bowled very well. He bowled well last season too. Especially when the ball reverses, he becomes even more effective towards the death overs. He can bowl at around 145 km/h, has a sharp bouncer, and can nail the perfect yorker. He is a pure T20 bowler with all-round ability. I believe he can take the new ball as well, not just for us going forward, but even for Sri Lanka,” Aaron told JioHotstar’s Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live.

Speaking about Sunrisers’ bowling plans, the former Indian player said: “When the wickets are flat, the focus is on execution, and the bowlers’ plans are fully trusted within the group. For example, Sakib was bowling a very good slower ball in the last game, but he said it wasn’t coming out of his hand as well in this game, though he was confident in bowling the yorker. So, we take the bowlers’ feedback, believe in their plans, and if we feel something, then we give our inputs. They are two very young bowlers. Dan and I just have one message, and that’s not to take undue pressure, express yourself with conviction. On wickets like these, if you don’t bowl with conviction, you’ll get hit even on your good balls.”

Aaron praises Praful for bowling under pressure

Praful Hinge, who was the architect of Sunrisers’ win over Rajasthan Royals, had an indifferent game against the Super Kings. Hinge got a wicket off his first ball in the previous game but in this game was smashed for a six by Sanju Samson.

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“We have been watching the IPL for so many years, that is the league in a nutshell. You can take three wickets in the first over, like Praful Hinge did in his first game, and on another day, you can go for 15 runs in an over. So, it’s a good learning for him. He has witnessed the two extremes in just two games. Hats off to him for showing character. You might not have bowled well in your first three overs, but you are still able to execute your yorkers under pressure and make a comeback in the last over, that’s character. I think Praful is in there for the long run. It’s not easy to nail those yorkers, especially from round the wicket, but he was able to. Because anything could have happened after that no-ball, but it’s very important to hold your nerves and stay cool under pressure,” Aaron said while praising the youngster for bowling the last over of the game.

Ruturaj Gaikwad s under immense pressure, and his mind appears to be a bit cluttered,” says R Ashwin. Pics: BCCI 

Ruturaj under immense pressure, says Ashwin

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons that Chennai captain Ruturaj Gaikwad seems to be under pressure. “It was the best chance for him to score runs. He didn’t need to take risks or score at a fast pace because of the way Ayush Mhatre started. They were running away with the Powerplay. It was right there for Ruturaj to take some time, score some runs, and come back into form. After Ayush Mhatre’s wicket, Ruturaj got a very good ball, it’s not easy to beat him on the pull. I just feel he is under immense pressure, and his mind appears to be a bit cluttered,” Ashwin said.

Miller redeems himself as he and Stubbs steer Capitals to six-wicket win over Bengaluru

In an earlier match, Delhi Capitals had managed to pull off a miracle win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who were playing their 100^th IPL home game. David Miller clothed himself with glory with his last over heroics.

Pujara hails Miller

“DC were under pressure, the first six against Shepherd changed everything. When you need a big over at the end, that first six is very important, and things became a little easier for him after that. David Miller would have been under pressure, having not been able to cross the finish line in one of the earlier games, even though he had taken them very close. So, doubts can creep into your mind, but he is such an experienced batter, in good form, and Tristan Stubbs was also there. They had the confidence of scoring those runs in the final over because they knew RCB would have to bowl their sixth bowler at the end. They were waiting for it, and eventually finished the game,” said Cheteshwar Pujara.