Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma did not read the Chinnaswamy wicket after SRH suffered a six-wicket loss against RCB at Bengaluru on Saturday. While Head was dismissed for 11 runs off nine balls, Abhishek continued his dismal form as he was sent back to the pavilion after scoring seven runs.
Both the SRH openers were caught while trying to play aggressively against the short ball. While Head was caught at the boundary, Abhishek ballooned the ball to Jitesh Sharma.
The visitors managed 49 runs in the Powerplay Overs and lost three wickets as Jacob Duffy did all the damage. SRH eventually posted 201 runs on the board after Ishan Kishan scored 80 runs off 38 balls. On the other hand, RCB smashed 76-1 in the first six overs to put themselves in front.
“SRH lost both the powerplays. Batting first is always good for SRH. There was a lot of disappointment here because Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma did not read the wicket very well. The ball will move around a bit at the Chinnaswamy because there is some moisture in the wicket,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin said SRH would have posted a par score on the board if Head and Abhishek had shown more patience.
“If they had taken a bit more time, even if they were 45 or 50-1 in six overs, they would have ended up making a bigger score. No matter how much SRH would have scored, I feel it would not have been enough. SRH’s powerplay bowling is looking quite weak,” he added.
The former off-spinner urged Abhishek Sharma to be more prepared against the short ball after a poor display against RCB.
“I had made a package, detailing where to bowl to Abhishek Sharma, and just as I was discussing that, he got out. I am a big fan of Abhishek Sharma, but he has to pay attention to all of this. Where are the bowlers attacking him? What plans will they come up with and bowl? Whenever the ball is on the stumps, Abhishek Sharma is giving it back in full swing, but if the line is outside or inside, he gets stuck,” Ashwin said.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday.
