Brad Hodge lived up to his role of a match-finisher quite well and took his side to a much-needed win in the thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday. James Faulkner termed his innings as the strong reply to the bookies and players who are trying to fix the matches in Indian Premier League.
Faulkner was quoted by Deccan Chronicle saying, “His half-century came in at very right time. The way he binds the innings together and allows the players around him is something that only an experienced player like him can do. He knows when to come hard on the bowlers and that’s what he did when he shifted his gear in the over bowled by Karan Sharma which changed the complexion of the game.”
Faulkner contributed with both bat and ball for Royals. He contributed 11 runs with the bat and kept the one end tight which allowed Hodge to play his shot. He was quoted by DNA saying, "First three balls were something that I didn’t time well but after getting my first boundary, it was all good. My primary motto was to give strike to Hodge rather than going for big-shots. He smashed couple of sixes in the end of the last two balls which got us qualified for next match."
Leading wicket-taker of RR was quoted by Deccan Herald saying, “Chasing the stiff total of 132 was not easy especially we were down at 57 for five but Hodge turned the tables with his brilliant stroke-play which propelled the pressure on Sunrisers. Partnership of 33 runs with Hodge was obviously good and his innings was unbelievable. “
Faulkner has added 27 wickets to his tally in 15 matches. It is the third highest in IPL, next only to Lasith Malinga (28 in 16 matches in 2011) and Bravo (28 in 17 matches in 2013). He was quoted by Times of India saying, “I feel blessed that I got the opportunity to showcase my talent in IPL-6 and make my franchisee happy. I don’t get too much into Purple cap and stuff. It’s as easy as this that if I bowl well and gets wickets then it will come to me for sure.”