Marcus Stoinis, Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder, produced a remarkable performance with bat and ball in Qualifier 2 against SunRisers Hyderabad(SRH) and said that opening with Shikhar Dhawan is easy as he controls the innings and takes the pressure off from the non-striker.
Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals side reached their first-ever final of the IPL after a team performance against SunRisers Hyderabad which helped them to win the game by 17 runs.
Marcus Stoinis: Shikhar Dhawan Is Batting Unbelievably Well In IPL 2020, And He Takes Pressure Off The Non-Striker
Marcus Stoinis was adjudged as Player of the Match as he scored 38 off 27 while opening the batting for the first time in IPL 2020 and returned with the figures of 3-26 in his three overs.
For the first time in the season, the Australian all-rounder opened the innings with Indian Shikhar Dhawan and provided a solid 86-run partnership for the first wicket.
Both the openers dominated opposition bowlers as they set the stage on fire and build a solid foundation. Delhi Capitals look poised for a big total which happened as one of the next batsman Shimron Hetmyer went on a rampage by scoring an unbeaten 42 off 22 balls.
“Shikhar is batting unbelievable in the tournament. I know you guys have been speaking about me, having an opportunity at the top of the order. So obviously, thanks to the skipper for getting me in. Batting with Shikhar is easy, he takes the pressure off you. He is timing the ball so well. He played well in the tournament. I’m just glad that I helped the team to a good start,” Marcus Stoinis told Iyer in a video posted on the official website of the IPL.
Shikhar Dhawan scored 78 off 50 balls and went past 600 run mark in IPL 2020 after KL Rahul. He is 2nd among leading run-scorers in IPL 2020 with 603 runs in 16 matches averaging 46.38 with 2 tons and 4 fifties. He is 4th highest run-scorer in IPL history with 5182 runs in 175 matches averaging 34.54 with 2 tons and 41 fifties.
Marcus Stoinis On Bowling Strategy: Building Some Pressure And Trying To Take Wickets
Marcus Stoinis picked 3 wickets of opener Priyam Garg, Manish Pandey and Kane Williamson. They gave away 26 runs in 3 overs while Kagiso Rabada was the wrecker in chief with 4 wickets of SRH skipper David Warner, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan and Sreevats Goswami. He returned with figures of 4/29 in 4 overs.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer hopes Marcus Stoinis continues his form in the final as well. Marcus Stoinis has scored 352 runs and taken 12 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2020 averaging 27.07 with bat and 21.66 with the ball in hand.
“I hope you continue this to the final as well,” Iyer added.
When asked about his bowling strategy and his mindset when he bowls Stoinis replied: “Just building some pressure and try to take some wickets.”
Delhi will now lock horns against defending champion Mumbai Indians at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday, November 10. While Delhi Capitals are in the final for the first time, four-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians are in finals for the 6th time.