Vettori credits Warner for ‘brave’ decision at toss

BANGALORE: Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Daniel Vettori said David Warner’s decision to bat upon winning the toss at M Chinnaswamy Stadium was a “brave” one considering the history of chasing teams winning at the venue. He also praised Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling strength as the key to their becoming IPL champions.

Warner has said in previous press conferences that he liked putting a score on the board in knockout scenarios. But Vettori felt that call may have been made as a result of the last pitch that was used in Bangalore, which was so slow and grippy that 158 could have been defended.

“We were [surprised by the toss],” Vettori said. “I’m sure they looked at the conditions from the last game and expected something similar. There was no dew and it was probably a little bit slower, the wicket against Gujarat [Lions]. You could see the bowlers were able to exploit that a little bit, particularly early on in both teams’ innings whereas this pitch was probably drier and like I said the dew later on made it an even better wicket. So it was a really brave decision, but obviously one that paid off for them in the end.”