IPL 2023: I thought 180 was a par score – Aiden Markram after loss against Lucknow Super Giants

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Aiden Markram feels 180 was a par score after their seven-wicket loss against Lucknow Super Giants at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday. The South African feels they lacked one partnership that could have got them over 200 runs.

Heinrich Klaasen top scored with 47 runs off 29 balls for the Orange Army whereas Abdul Samad added the finishing touches for the home team as he scored 37 runs from 25 balls but their bowlers could not successfully defend the score.

LSG skipper Krunal Pandya was the pick of the bowlers for his team as he returned with impressive figures of 2-24 in his quota of four overs.

Markram admitted they would have taken 180 runs at the start of the game but feels the pitch got slower as the match progressed.

On the other hand, Prerak Mankad, playing his third IPL match, scored a match-winning knock of 64 runs off just 45 balls.

Marcus Stoinis also played a crucial knock of 40 runs off 25 balls. Furthermore, Nicholas Pooran was able to hit the ground running as the left-hander smashed 44 runs from 13 balls and thus played a key role in his team’s seven-wicket victory.

Aiden Markram said in the post-match presentation, “I thought it was a decent score, I thought 180 was par. We batted well, but probably lacked one partnership that could have got us to the 200-run mark. The wicket got slower throughout the day, we would have taken this total at the start.”

Markram added that the young players must make the most of their opportunities in the remaining three matches of the season.

He added, “Pressure is an interesting thing, and the guys tried their best. When you are put under pressure by high-quality players like Stoinis and Pooran, you are going to be tested. Once the righties came in, I don’t think I was the man for the job. It’s about the guys using the next three games as opportunities, they must make it count.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad will next take on defending champions Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Monday.