Vettori lauds Abhishek, Klaasen for reading the conditions perfectly

Heinrich Klaasen prioritised pragmatism over power.
| Photo Credit: SANDEEP SAXENA

Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori lauded his side’s batting effort, led by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive half-century, in its victory against Lucknow Super Giants, which ended the home side’s playoff hopes.

In doing so, the visitor became the first team to chase down a 200-plus target at the Ekana Stadium in the IPL.

“(This) was probably our best batting performance. Abhishek was able to set it up and then everyone who came in read the conditions perfectly, understood their role and got us home comfortably,” he said.

Vettori also praised the way Heinrich Klaasen prioritised pragmatism over power following the dismissals of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan.

“It was a fantastic innings because he understood the situation, what was required. Sometimes on these bigger grounds it can actually, I suppose, relax you a little bit that the sixes and fours are a little harder to hit. You have to turn over the strike, run well and when that opportunity to hit that boundary comes, you’re ready for it,” he explained.

“That’s what Klaasy did so well. Any boundary opportunity he had, he took on and in between, he was able to turn over singles. It was a really good inning from him. I know he was frustrated not to see it to the end, but it was a match-winning performance.”

Vettori also revealed that Travis Head, recovering after a bout with COVID, remains in contention for the clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday.