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Gamble against Dhoni came off: Tahir
06 May, 2016
Gamble against Dhoni came off: Tahir
06 May, 2016
Although they lost to Rising Pune Supergiants, the Delhi Daredevils once again fought to the end as they strove to defend the 162 runs their batsmen had posted on the. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who was back in the playing eleven for the team’s last match at the Feroz Shah Kotla, stood out for the JP Duminy-led Delhi Daredevils. The bowler claimed two for 26, which included the wicket of MS Dhoni as the home team toiled to continue their winning streak. However, on the day, the team couldn’t finish the job as RPS got past the finish line with five balls to spare.
In an interview with iplt20.com, Tahir talked about the challenge of bowling to Dhoni and how his gamble paid off.
Excerpts:
How challenging was it to defend the total?
It wasn’t so difficult. We have been playing good cricket and we had done things in the past and wanted to carry on like that today. But it was just one of those things really (that the result wasn’t on our side). They played well in the end.
How do you assess your performance? You began well, conceded very little in your first three overs and then claimed the wicket of MS Dhoni in your final over.
It came out nicely. I didn’t want to go for any boundary in my last over. My biggest challenge was to bowl to MS Dhoni in that over because he is the best finisher in the world. He has done that often and that was my challenge. I was happy to get his wicket but then I got hit for two sixes and I wasn’t happy with that. But, those were good shots. I didn’t bowl any full toss or fuller lengths, so credit to the batsman (Thisara Perera) who hit me for two sixes.
Delhi has had some close finishes. How much has the team been working on defending totals, which has been a concern for most teams?
We have been practicing in the nets. And the games that we played before the start (of the tournament) helped. We are all professionals and we know our job. We could be chasing one day and defending the other. We do our homework before going into the game. I am sure everyone has tried their best and like I said, it was just one of those days. Today was their day and hats off to them that they played good cricket.
What was your plan for MS Dhoni?
The plan is to look for his weakness, which is hard because he is such a strong hitter of the ball. I just took a gamble and it worked. I knew that he was obviously staying back (in the crease) to try to hit me because I was bowling a lot of straight balls. So I thought of bowling towards his legs and see what happened; it could have gone for a six or I could get him out. The gamble worked. And (while) I am happy that it worked, I am sad that we lost.
Did you miss Zaheer Khan on the field?
Yes definitely! He has been bowling great for us and he is a good captain, (it is) nice to have him there. Hope he will be back and be there in the future games.
What has helped DD defend totals in the past?
We have got variety in our attack – slow bowlers, quick bowlers that has helped; we’ve got bowlers like Amit Mishra, Pawan Negi, myself, Shahbaz Nadeem and Jayant Yadav (who played today). I think everyone has put their hands up and put in a great effort for the Delhi Daredevils and I think that’s the reason we are doing well while defending totals.
How much have you enjoyed bowling here at the Kotla?
I have always enjoyed playing at the Kotla. This is a home for me. Lots of people come and support us. Thanks to them. (There’s) good food as well. It is sad the way it ended here. We wanted to win here and then go on a high note wherever we go from here. But they played good cricket and this is one of those days like I said before. We did what we could and we need to look forward for the next game.
