IPL 2019, RCB vs SRH – Turning Point: Yusuf Pathan drops Shimron Hetmyer in the 13th over
Here’s a look at the turning point of the IPL 2019 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad had the Royal Challengers Bangalore on the ropes when they dismissed Parthiv Patel, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers within the span of three overs in Bengaluru on Saturday. RCB were tottering at 20/3 while chasing a target of 176 runs. However, Shimron Hetmyer and Gurkeerat Singh Mann got set and kept the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the game with a sensible partnership. ((Full Scorecard))
From 20/3, the duo brought RCB back into the match by taking the team to 114/3 in 12.4 overs. However, the Sunrisers Hyderabad had a great chance to close out the match in the 13th over. Hetmyer, who was batting on 60 in the 13th over, presented a simple catch to Yusuf Pathan at point. But the SRH fielder dropped a sitter and Hetmyer survived when RCB still needed 62 runs from 44 balls. The West Indian went on to score 75 runs from 47 balls and his presence in the middle also helped Gurkeerat bat better as he scored 65 runs from 48 balls. Eventually, the Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match by four wickets with four balls to spare.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad will certainly look back at the dropped catch and feel that they let the match slip away from their hands in that moment. Hetmyer and Gurkeerat strung a partnership of 144 runs to help the home side finish the season on a high.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson credited the Royal Challengers Bangalore for keeping up the pressure throughout their chase.
“Naturally when you take your opportunities it does help. But that is a game of cricket. It would’ve been nice to get 10-15 runs in the first innings, but credit to Bangalore for keeping up the pressure. I suppose there are a number of fine lines, our last two matches could’ve gone either way but we ended up on the wrong side. But that’s T20 cricket for you. It is one of those things now, we have to sit and wait, things are not in control which is a shame,” said Williamson.