Punjab slip from top spot after loss to Hyderabad

NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings had hoped to tighten their grip on top spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ​on Wednesday but a succession of dropped catches saw them ‌fall to a third straight defeat and allowed Sunrisers Hyderabad to climb above them.

Hyderabad batter Ishan Kishan (55) was dropped twice, while Heinrich Klaasen capitalised on ​an early reprieve to smash 69 and power the hosts ​to 235-4 in their 20 overs.

Punjab managed only 202 ⁠in reply, though captain Shreyas Iyer said they should have been ​shooting for a much lower target.

“We dropped many catches at the ​start, we could have easily reduced their score by 30-40 runs,” he added.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to take catches, I think that was the biggest ​setback for us in today’s game - definitely something to reflect on ​and come back stronger.”

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal created two chances only to see both ‌spilled, ⁠bringing to eight the number of catches that have been grassed off his bowling this season.

Teammate Shashank Singh has dropped five catches in his last three matches.

Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said players like ​Kishan and Klaasen punish ​teams if ⁠given a second chance.

“It was very important to take those catches because they are such players that ​if you tend to drop catches, they will ​score and ⁠score quickly,” he told a press conference.

“I definitely think catching could have changed the momentum of the game. There would have been fresh ⁠batters ​on the pitch and we could have ​executed our plans more effectively and then ended up maybe giving more than 50 ​runs less.”