Former Australian cricketer and Sunrisers Hyderabad assistant coach Simon Helmot has backed the Pat Cummins-led side to play an aggressive brand of cricket in the rest of their matches in IPL 2024 despite losing against Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to book their berth in the final of the IPL 2024 final.

KKR bowlers led by Mitchell Starc produced a clinical performance to restrict a dangerous SRH batting line-up to 159. In reply, KKR batters then sailed through the chase inside 14 overs and secured their fourth appearance in the final, their first since 2021.

The Cummins led SRH will get another chance to reach the final as they are set to face the winner of RR and RCB in Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 24.

During the post-match press conference, Helmot said that it wasn’t their night against KKR but they are going to their brand of cricket. According to SRH coach, it is important for the team to quickly move on from the loss and be ready for their next challenge.

“You know, we’re still going to play our brand of cricket. And tonight wasn’t our night. That happens. We’re going to put this game aside very, very quickly because we have to move on in a couple of days time and playing in a channel, obviously against RCB or Rajasthan,” said Simon Helmot.

“Unfortunately, today wasn’t our day. They bowled very well up front. I think this ground shows that you can, you know, score big in the first innings and put pressure on the opposition. So yeah, it just wasn’t our day,” he added.

The 52-year-old praised Mitchell Starc for his exceptional bowling spell and also called KKR a very balanced side.

“Look, he bowled very well. He bowled fast. He was managing to move the ball. So he’s been a quality player for a long time. And that’s why obviously he was a sought-after player in the auction in the first place. They are very balanced side. They’re a good side KKR,” Helmot said.

“We just struggled tonight to sort of get any consistency, or I suppose, momentum in the game, and it just shows that. you know, when you’re not, when you’re off your game just slightly and the opposition, you know, they finished top for a reason. Then obviously, you’re gonna put yourself under a bit of pressure, but it’s all very quickly put this push this game aside, and we look forward to our next game in the on the 24th,” he added.

Both SRH openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who have given a blazing start to their team in most of the IPL 2024 matches, failed to deliver against KKR. However, Helmot backed the destructive opening pair to do well in Qualifier 2.

“Oh, look, there’s two heavyweight fighters Travis Head and Mitchell Starc. He likes to score quickly and be aggressive, and, obviously, Mitchell Starc, who’s a really aggressive bowler. At times there’s only one winner and we saw the winner tonight. But plenty of times as we’ve seen over the season, Travis has been on top of the bowlers. So we want Travis to continue to play his positive, aggressive way. He and Abhi have been a tremendous partnership up the top for us. So onwards and upwards,” the SRH assistant coach said.

“We don’t concern ourselves about the dismissals, obviously wants to score runs, and I know that Travis will be back bigger and better on the 24th,” he added.