Virat Kohli's wicket was a dream for me: Sakib Hussain
What's the story
Sunrisers Hyderabad's young pacer, Sakib Hussain, had a memorable moment at the Uppal Stadium on Friday. He dismissed Virat Kohli during an intense IPL match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The 21-year-old Bihar-born bowler called it his biggest achievement after helping Hyderabad win by a massive 55 runs.
Rising star
Sakib's stellar performance
Sakib's wicket of Kohli was his 15th in 10 matches this season, maintaining a consistent record of taking at least one wicket in every game. He claimed 1/31 from four overs in the aforementioned RCB game. Featuring in his maiden IPL edition, he has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the tournament. "The plan was to bowl according to the wicket," said Sakib after the match. "Virat Kohli's wicket was a dream wicket for me."
Match details
A memorable moment for the young pacer
Kohli, who was batting at 15 off 10 balls, struggled to find his rhythm on the batting-friendly Uppal Stadium. On his 11th ball, Sakib bowled a slower full ball outside off stump. Kohli tried an aggressive drive but ended up hitting it straight to the cover fielder, ending a scratchy innings during RCB's steep chase of 256 runs. Unlike animated celebrations after high-profile dismissals, Sakib kept his reaction composed. He simply kissed his hands and smiled while looking toward the sky in an emotional moment rather than aggressive one.
Playoff implications
RCB secure top-two finish despite loss; SRH end on high
Despite the crushing loss, Royal Challengers Bengaluru managed to secure a top-two finish in the league standings. his gives them an important advantage heading into the playoffs. The qualification scenario means RCB will now play Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans on May 26. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, their explosive batting unit scored a massive 256 runs in 20 overs, ending their league campaign on a high note before entering the playoffs. They will feature in the Eliminator.