Punjab Kings (PBKS) batsman Rilee Rossouw praised skipper Sam Curran for his strategic decision to bowl leg-spinner Rahul Chahar to MS Dhoni in the penultimate over. Rilee Rossouw explained that Sam Curran trusted his instincts and described it as a very good call on a slow-moving wicket.
Punjab outplayed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on a slow pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday, May 1. Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar took four wickets for a total of just 33 runs. Punjab recorded a seven-wicket win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Sam Curran took the risk – Rilee Rossouw
At the post-match press conference, Rilee Rossouw stated that Sam Curran took the risk of bowling a leg-spinner in the penultimate over. Rossouw acknowledged that the decision was a wonderful one and called it a brave decision.
“We had a chat out there and you have to give credit to Sam Curran. He came to me before the over and said, ‘What do you think about bowling a leg spinner in the penultimate over?’ He took the risk and it went wonderfully.
“Thank you very much to Sam for making this decision. It’s a bold decision and not something you see much in cricket these days. On a slow, turning wicket it was a very good decision by Sam.” Rossuov said after the game.
Sam Curran handed the ball to Rahul Chahar in the 19th over of Chennai Super Kings’ innings. The decision paid off as Chahar conceded just three runs, including Moeen Ali’s wicket. Chahar put explosive batsman MS Dhoni in trouble by denying him access to his preferred leg-side boundary.
Before this game, Chahar played four matches for PBKS and took three wickets with an economy rate of more than 10 runs. However, he delivered an impressive performance against CSK in Chennai. In his four overs he took two wickets for 16 runs. He dismissed in-form batsman Shivam Dube for a first-ball duck.
Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar were phenomenal – Rilee Rossouw
Rilee Rossouw praised Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar for their exceptional performances. The South African batsman highlighted that the spin duo controlled the run rate phenomenally for them.
“Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar were phenomenal. They were in good form for us. Chahar bowls well. Brar was consistent.”
“They keep it simple and keep it wicket to wicket and are always in the game whether the ball is turning or not to give them a wicket. They were phenomenal for us, especially in terms of economics.” Rossouw added.
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 62 runs off 48 deliveries as the team scored 162 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw added a 64-run partnership for the second wicket. With 13 balls to go, the visiting team was able to confidently take the goal.
The Punjab Kings will face the Chennai Super Kings again on Sunday, May 5 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
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