IPL 2022: We really needed his four overs – Jason Holder on K Gowtham

Lucknow Super Giants all-rounder Jason Holder hailed K Gowtham’s bowling spell against Delhi Capitals at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on Thursday.

Holder revealed the off-spinner was picked for his bowling and he was able to justify his selection as he returned with impressive figures of 1-23 in his four overs.

Gowtham, who was playing his maiden match of the season, took the crucial wicket of Prithvi Shaw, who was running away with the game. Shaw scored 61 runs off just 34 balls and his wicket was important for LSG. Gowtham accounted for Shaw after he was hit for a four and a six by the right-hander.

Furthermore, the spinner from Karnataka bowled one maiden and conceded his runs at an economy rate of below six.

Gowtham was given the second over by KL Rahul and also bowled the eighth over of the innings ahead of Ravi Bishnoi.

Asked about the same, Holder said, “I guess you have to ask the skipper that question. He was picked to bowl and he is a capable batsman too. We really needed his four overs and he was able to come in and break the partnership for us. In T20 cricket, it’s not about how you start, but more or less how you finish. Any bowler can get hit at any stage of any match. It’s just a matter of staying composed and getting through.”

Meanwhile, Jason Holder bowled the opening over the innings and noticed that there was hardly any swing on offer.

“After I bowled the first over, I said to the guys there wasn’t much swing. I knew that we needed to be really tight in the powerplay. It was that kind of a wicket where you can get on top of the bowlers in the powerplay because there is not much swing. Although they got a really good start, we knew we could peg them back in the middle.”

Furthermore, Ravi Bishnoi was once again right on the money as his figures were 2-22 in four overs quota. Holder gave credit to both the spinners as they played an instrumental role in keeping DC to 149-3.

“We’ve got some clever spinners. Bishnoi was excellent for us. Gowtham coming in for his first game was excellent as well. Andrew Tye came in at the backend of the powerplay and into the middle overs and did an outstanding job for us as well. It was a real team effort, the way we fought back. Credit to each and every individual.”

The KL Rahul-led team will next face Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.