IPL 2022 | 'We've struggled to get the momentum in the last few games' - Kane Williamson

With five victories from their first seven games, SRH were looking like one of the favourites to qualify for the playoffs at one point in time. But yesterday, they suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, their seventh loss of the season, which has almost shattered their playoff hopes. 

More importantly, it was the fourth game in a row that SRH lost while chasing a target. As they are repeatedly failing as a chasing unit, there must be something wrong with their mindset as well as approach while batting second.

On being asked about the possible reasons behind SRH's repeated failure in chasing the targets, the team's skipper Kane Williamson said they have struggled to get the momentum to set the platform, resulting in these harsh defeats. 

"With the bat, we weren't able to get the momentum to set the platform or get those partnerships. Strong performance by KKR and we've struggled to get that momentum in those last few games, which we need for the remaining games," Williamson said. 

During KKR's innings, Williamson handed the ball to Washington Sundar to bowl the 20th over. This move backfired badly as Andre Russell smashed Sundar for 20 runs and took KKR to a healthy total of 177. 

When enquired about the decision to go with the Indian off-spinner in the 20th over, Williamson said that he used up the remaining overs of Bhuvneshwar and Umran earlier in order to pick wickets. The New Zealand captain stressed that he went with Sundar trusting his ability to keep things tight, but unfortunately, the plan failed. 

"We wanted to take wickets [so we bowled Bhuvneshwar and Umran early and kept Washington for the last over], it was always going to be a tough over. Washy has stepped up for last overs, using our resources early was something we had planned but it didn't work out," the Kiwi international said. 

Williamson's miserable batting form has been one of the significant reasons behind SRH's inconsistent run in the tournament. The Blackcaps captain, who was retained by the franchise for a whopping amount of 14 crores, has managed to score just 208 runs at a substandard average of 18.91 and a poor strike rate of 92.86. Talking about his dismal form, Williamson said that he is failing to fetch the gaps and getting dismissed while playing a big shot to release the pressure. As he put it, this pattern teaches every batter a lesson and he's not an exception to it. 

"[There are] Some consistencies to it (his own struggles), hit to the fielders, then try to hit big and walk back. It teaches you a lesson so some learning for me there," the 31-year-old concluded.