It was a cakewalk win for Sunrisers Hyderabad as the home side obliterated Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets. Kolkata Knight Riders could not get the momentum in the batting innings as they posted 159 runs on the board after been put into bat by Kane Williamson. The visitors got off to a flying start with Sunil Narine scoring 8-ball 25. However, they veered off the track once Narine got out and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Subsequently, the tourists could not get the momentum going in their innings. Chris Lynn scored a fine fifty but could not find support from the other end. Once again, Andre Russell came out to bat in the 17th over when only a handful of balls were remaining.
On the other hand, Jonny Bairstow and David Warner continued their red-hot form going in the season. The SRH openers brought their fourth hundred runs partnership of the season. Warner scored his 46th IPL fifty as he scored a blistering 38-ball 67 with the help of three fours and five maximums. Bairstow also batted at the top of his game as he scored 80 runs from 43 runs with the help of seven fours and four sixes.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders oozed poor effort in the field. The visitors bungled as many as three catches and never look in the contest.
Meanwhile, the next match against Chennai Super Kings will be the last match for Jonny Bairstow whereas Warner will play three more matches. Thus, Williamson believes both the talisman openers will be missed at the fag end of the tourney.
Kane Williamson said while talking at the post-match presentation, “I don’t think it changed a huge amount. It slowed down a bit. We kept them down to a low total. It was a complete performance. It is a tough tournament. You need to adapt. Let’s hope they continue. Everyone is trying to play their roles. To take nothing away from the first half, the bowlers did really well. It has been a pleasure to watch them bat. We know that we would come in as a middle order when needed. They (Bairstow and Warner) are gonna be big losses. They are world class players and they will be missed at the back end”.
Sunrisers Hyderabad was able to come up with a complete performance against KKR. The Orange Army will play their next match against Chennai Super Kings on 23rd April.