Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal stunned everybody on a batting surface by dismissing the two biggest batsmen of Indian Premier League (IPL), while using his knowledge of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch to great effect.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Gopal removed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli (57) and AB de Villiers (20) to dent the chances of the home team.
“I was just looking to bowl into the wicket a little bit. When I saw first, every time they bowled back of a length, it was gripping a little bit and coming slow off the wicket. That was the plan. Shane Warne (RR mentor) and everyone told me the kind of field I should be bowling to and just execute that plan and back that plan 100 percent,” Gopal said after the match.
However, Gopal returned with an impressive figure of two for 22 in his four overs. Almost all the bowlers went for plenty with 415 runs scored in all.
He got both Kohli and de Villiers caught before bursting into a low-key celebration.
“Yes, they were not the best balls that I got ABD and Kohli, I think the plan was to just bowl those hard lengths and make it as difficult as possible for them. This wicket was a little slower than the normal Bangalore wicket. But with the grass off I expected it to be on the little slower side after watching the previous game,” an elated Gopal added.
He also admitted that it was the best moment in his life and will always cherish it.
“When it comes to getting two of the biggest players in the world, it doesn’t happen every day. I just need to soak it in. I am privileged and honoured to have got their wickets. It’s a moment that I will always cherish,” Gopal concluded.
The 24-year-old Karnataka-based Shreyas Gopal was brought by Royals’ camp at his base price of INR 20 lakh during the two-day mega-auction in January, this year.
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