Our overseas batsmen need to deliver: Sunrisers coach

Kolkata, April 14 (IANS):

Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody Sunday blamed his team’s poor defending skills for their humiliating loss against Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League match at the Eden Gardens here.

“Our defensive skills were never as sharp as they can be. It was not a 180 runs wicket but we allowed the hosts to put an imposing total,” Moody said post the match.

Ruing the absence of exciting India opener Shikhar Dhawan, out with injury, Moody hoped that the overseas batsmen would perform better.

“Dhawan’s absence is a big setback for us. Without him, our batting is a concern. But I think our overseas batsman need to perform better than they are doing at the moment. We haven’t batted as well as we can do,” conceded Moody.

Observing that toss was a big factor in the match, Moody asserted that the Knights, who have a strong home record, were not unbeatable.

“What is important is the toss. They (KKR) have got bowlers who are well suited to the wicket here but the matter is the toss. KKR are a good side but not unbeatable,” said the coach.

The Hyderabad team has now lost four of five matches it played against the hosts at the Eden Gardens.

Moody also refused to admit that the slow pitches had blunted the potential of express pacer Dale Steyn who returned wicketless against the KKR Sunday.

“Steyn is by far the best fast bowler in the tournament. He has been among the wickets and has been bowling exceptionally well. He is a smart enough bowler to adapt to the different conditions,” added Moody.