IPL 2022: Wanindu Hasaranga Reaffirms Role Inside The RCB

Wanindu Hasaranga, an allrounder for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, said on Sunday that the clarity of his position as a wicket-taking bowler in the team benefited him in the present Indian Premier League.

Hasaranga, who became the most expensive Sri Lankan player in IPL history when Bangalore paid a full Rs 10.75 crore for him at this year's auction, returned with figures of 5/18 to hand Sunrisers Hyderabad their fourth consecutive loss.

“I’m a wicket-taking bowler and the team thinks so too. I try to ball a lot of dotted balls and try to get wickets. That’s my role in the team." said Hasaranga. “I’m really happy with my position right now. I’m trying to take wickets in midfield and put pressure on the opponents."

After retiring right-hand batter Aiden Markram, Hasaranga returned to remove wicketkeeper batter Nicholas Pooran and left-handed batter Jagadeesha Suchith in consecutive overs. He ended his spell with a double-wicket maiden.

“This year, four players from Sri Lanka are doing really well, especially Maheesh Theekshana (Chennai), Dushmantha Chameera (Lucknow) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Punjab). said Hasaranga. "For us, our three main bowlers playing in this IPL, it is a good experience for us when we return to Sri Lanka.“

He added, “He (Umran Malik) bowled fast, many deliveries in the back. On this wicket there were not many bounces, it was good to hit, so that’s why our hitters received him in the first over. He was under pressure after we made 20 runs against him. That was the plan we had against him.”

RCB vs SRH

Kane Williamson, the captain of the Sunrisers, was experiencing far the worst IPL season of his with the bat, and here was the day to redeem himself. He, however, was run-out on the opening ball of the chase without even receiving a delivery.

In-form hitter Abhishek Sharma was also out with zero score, putting the Sunrisers in a vulnerable position. Aiden Markram then joined batter Rahul Tripathi on the powerplay, and the two attempted to establish control.

Markram made a couple of strokes, but he was primarily second to Tripathi, who appeared in excellent shape. The needed rate was rising, and Markram succumbed in an attempt to up the stakes against Hasaranga.

Pooran, as in the previous two games, found himself in a scenario where he needed to attack from the first ball in order to win. He gave it his all but was undone by Hasaranga's excellent bowling.

Walking out to bat at No.6, Suchith demonstrated the Sunrisers' batting scope. Tripathi hit 50 and was likely the only player standing between the Royal Challengers and two points. But after he was ousted by bowler Josh Hazlewood, the rest was an undeniable walk in the park for the Royal Challengers.

The Sunrisers were on a roll as they bounced back from two defeats with five straight wins to reach 10 points in just seven games. With four consecutive defeats, they have now slipped behind in the fight for the top four.

"For us, it's looking to stay calm, we do need to touch on some areas to improve. We don't need to overthink either. The margins are always very fine," said Williamson after their loss.