One more win and Sunrisers should be in the IPL play-offs: Muttiah Muralitharan

Having improved its play-off chances following three consecutive wins, Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan said the team needs to keep up the momentum to ensure its place in the last four stage of the ongoing Indian Premier League. Sunrisers pulled off a close five-run win over Kings XI Punjab on Monday to jump to the third position in the points table with 14 points from 12 games. And with just two more games to go against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, Muralitharan feels Sunrisers are just one win away from sealing its place in the play-offs. [caption id=“attachment_2240366” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sunrisers Hyderabad are could make the play-offs for the second time. Sportzpics[/caption] “We have been winning in the last 3-4 matches. We have the momentum with us. It’s all about momentum and we need to keep this going,” Muralitharan told reporters after the win over Kings XI last night. “I think it’s very good at the moment because we have two more matches. If we can win one, we can be through to the play-offs,” he said. The team’s remaining two matches are at home and Muralitharan said it augurs well for the team. “It’s an advantage for us. We know the wicket so we can field the team as per combination,” he said. Sunrisers won a close game over Kings XI last night with David Miller going berserk with a blistering 89 runs off 44 balls. But the South African’s knock failed to take his side home. “IPL is all about close wins because every team has got very good players. What matters is results it doesn’t matter whether you win by one run or two runs. At the end of the day, you need points to qualify,” Muralitharan said. Asked to compare the knocks by Sunrisers skipper David Warner (81 off 51 balls) and Miller, Muralitharan said: “I think they great knocks from Warner and Miller. Everyone knows that Miller is dangerous. Warner’s knock helped us put up a big total.” Meanwhile, a disappointed Miller said Kings XI lacked consistency in this year’s IPL. “I think Twenty20 can witness up and downs. We were very consistent last year. A couple of guys did very well last year. But this year, I think it’s not really clicking. We are trying hard. It’s disappointing to have won just two matches,” he said. PTI