Indian Premier League: Sometimes a plan doesn’t work, says Vijay

Delhi opener comes to bowlers’ defence after eight-wicket loss to Chennai.

Delhi Daredevils opener Murali Vijay urged the cricket fraternity and fans to go easy on the team’s bowlers after the Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit crashed to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings.

Dwayne Smith (79), Brendon McCullum (32) and Suresh Raina (47) punished the opposing team as the Delhi bowlers looked out of depth against the current top side of IPL.

“I think 178 is a very good score,” said Vijay, according to CNN-IBN. “There are always ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in a T20 game. To be honest, we really fought back in the end. Chennai were cruising with McCullum and Smith batting in the 10th over, so we have to give credit for fighting back in those circumstances.”

Mohammad Shami conceded 17 runs in the 18th over as Smith hit him for two fours and a six and remained wicket-less but Vijay refused to chastise the fast-bowler.

“Shami is giving his effort and that’s what counts. We are players and all we can do is plan and execute that plan, but sometimes it just doesn’t work.

“It was a very hard-fought game, Chennai are a top team and they played like one by pulling off this game. Hopefully we can do better in the next match,” concluded Vijay.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2014.

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