Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has showered praise on Ehsan Malinga after SRH registered a convincing six-wicket win against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday. Chopra highlighted that since Malinga’s debut, only one bowler (Ashwani Kumar) has a better average than him.
Malinga returned with impressive figures of 1-29 in his quota of four overs against the Mumbai Indians. The right-arm pacer accounted for Suryakumar Yadav and bowled an economical spell when MI posted a par score of 243 runs on the board.
Malinga is currently the Purple Cap holder in the ongoing season with 15 scalps in nine matches at an average of 18.93 and an economy rate of 9.16.
‘I am going to celebrate Eshan Malinga. A bat vs bat contest is decided by just one thing at times. One bowling spell changes things. He conceded 29 runs in four overs and picked up a wicket. He didn’t concede even a single four in his first three overs, and he was the only bowler who hadn’t conceded a single four,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“He was the only bowler at that stage who was conceding single-digit runs in an over, except for Pat Cummins’ first over. He was outstanding. He bowls in different phases. Since his debut, only one bowler has a better average than him. That’s Ashwani Kumar, but his economy is worse than Malinga’s,” he added.
On the other hand, the renowned analyst praised SRH’s fearless batting as they were able to chase down 244 with ease in the end. Travis Head scored 76 runs off 30 balls whereas Heinrich Klaasen scored an unbeaten 65 off 30 balls.
“The SunRisers Hyderabad chased 243 easily. They have registered five consecutive wins and have won six in the tournament. Heinrich Klaasen’s switch hit is still in your mind. He also hit Jasprit Bumrah for a six over cover. The SunRisers Hyderabad are the trendsetters. They are the brand ambassadors of fearless and carefree cricket, and they are taking it to another level,” he said.
Chopra praised the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who added 129 runs off just 52 balls.
‘Abhishek Sharma started like a rocket. Travis Head, who had a slight form issue, came out smashing, and he smashed and how. When he sees India in a team’s name or a blue jersey, he hits a lot. They have won six matches and have had a different Player of the Match in each of them, which in itself is absolutely mindboggling,” Chopra observed.
SRH will next take on KKR at Hyderabad on Sunday.
