New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils spinner Imran Tahir blamed his fellow bowlers for Monday’s defeat to Kings XI Punjab here at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Despite a spirited performance, the Daredevils gave away as many as 11 extra runs while defending a total of 164 which, Tahir felt, proved costly in the end.
“The bowlers should think about this. Giving away those extra runs made the difference. We will definitely work on this and try to do give away fewer extras in our next match.”
The four-wicket defeat in Team Delhi’s last home match in this year’s IPL was their seventh consecutive one.
But Tahir defended Delhi’s poor show, asserting that they had been let down by poor luck despite trying their best. “We are playing well. The boys are working hard in practice. But luck has not been on our side. Losing despite playing well can be painful. We have tried our best to win the last two games,” the leg-spinner said.
The 25-year-old Pakistan-born, who represents South Africa at the international level, picked up three wickets on Monday. Among his victims was Australian dangerman Glenn Maxwell who has been in explosive form this season.
“It was great to get Maxwell’s wicket because he has been the star batsman this year,” Tahir said. “But I feel Indian batsmen are far better equipped to play spin on these conditions than foreign
players.”
Tahir, who was a late addition to the squad, coming in as replacement for injured pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, said playing in the IPL was a dream come true for him.
“I have been watching the IPL for the last six years and dreamed of playing it someday. That dream has now come true. Every cricketer wants to play in the IPL. This is one of the best leagues in the world and any cricketer will want to be here,” he remarked.
