Shikhar Dhawan says patience was key for Sunrisers Hyderabad to beat Mumbai Indians
Left-handed opening batsman holds fort for Hyderabad on a slow wicket against high-flying Mumbai Indians with 15th Indian Premier League fifty. It was his second half-century this season.
Shikhar Dhawan said "patience was key" to score the runs as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated high-flying Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Dhawan scored his 15th fifty in the competition as his 55-ball 73 not out was the centerpiece for the Sunrisers' comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians. In a low-scoring game (Mumbai scored 129 for four) and on a slow track, Dhawan said flamboyance upfront was never going to be the path to success.
"I knew the pitch was slow and we had to hold on to our wickets in the first six overs. Patience was going to be key and that was our first plan. Once we settled down, we got the boundaries that helped us win easily," Dhawan said.
After scoring a duck in the last match against Rajasthan Royals, Dhawan bounced back to score his best knock in IPL. Wednesday's 73, with nine fours and a six, bettered his previous best - 63 not out off 45 balls against Chennai Super Kings on April 25.
"It's going quite good for me. After the Australia innings (187 on debut in Mohali Test in March this year), I am more confident now," Dhawan said.
Wednesday's win was Sunrisers fourth on-the-trot at home. The former champions (the team played as Deccan Chargers till 2012 till it had new owners this season) are level on points (12 each) with Mumbai Indians. Both teams have six wins and four losses but Mumbai are fourth in the table with a slightly better run-rate.
"We have to win at least four more matches to make the last-four of the IPL," Dhawan said, indicating that the Sunrisers will not let their guard down when they take on Delhi at home on Saturday (May 4).