Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori admitted Ramandeep Singh’s cameo set the stage for Andre Russell in their opening match of the Indian Premier League 2024 at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. After being put into bat by SRH skipper Pat Cummins, KKR found themselves under the cosh at 51-4 after 7.3 overs.
However, Ramandeep Singh, batting at number six, played a crucial cameo of 17-ball 35 with the help of one four and four sixes. Singh was able to help KKR in changing the momentum and from there, Andre Russell was able to take the impetus forward.
Russell smashed an unbeaten knock of 64 runs off just 25 balls with the help of three fours and seven maximums. The hard-hitter scored his runs at a strike rate of 256 and also became the quickest to score 200 sixes in the IPL. Thus, Russell played a key role in helping KKR post more than 200 runs on the board.
“Ramandeep’s innings set up the platform for Russell. We understand now that in T20 cricket, the only way to stop a batter is through taking wickets,” Vettori said after SRH’s four-run defeat here on Saturday.
“If we had Russell out the scores had been different. All we have to do is challenge ourselves to take wickets,” Vettori said.
The former New Zealand skipper added they didn’t underestimate Ramandeep but the right-hander played some fine shots.
“I don’t think we underestimated him (Ramandeep), but the shots he played were fantastic and put the pressure back on us,” Vettori said.
“When you look at good T20 games, good T20 players, irrespective of the situation, they were able to put pressure straight back on the bowling team, and that’s what he was able to do. With Salt well set at the other end, it allowed him to play his game, and there was no pressure for him to take too many risks, and I think it was fantastic.” Vettori added that Russell’s power-hitting is second to none.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will next host Mumbai Indians at their home ground in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday whereas KKR will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday
