It was a thoroughly professional all-round performance from Sunrisers Hyderabad as they registered their 6th victory of Vivo IPL 12 courtesy a comprehensive 45 runs victory against the Kings XI Punjab. David Warner who was playing his final match of the tournament continued his sensational form and scored 81 of 56 deliveries which won him the Man of the Match Award. Rashid Khan was the pick of Hyderabad bowlers bagging 3 wickets while Khaleel Ahmed also chipped in with 3.
The Turning Point of the Match
There were a few turning points in the match. The opening partnership of 78 runs in just 6.2 overs between David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha gave SRH the perfect start they needed. It was also their highest score in the powerplay during the tournament. Punjab needed a great start from Chris Gayle and KL Rahul to get anywhere close to the target. However, Gayle’s wicket proved to be the decisive factor as SRH ran away with the game.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab- 2nd innings
Chasing a big total, Kings XI Punjab needed to get off to a great start to have any chance of chasing the target down. However, the visitors lost the wicket of Chris Gayle which was huge as per the context of the game. KL Rahul continued his good run with a brilliant half-century and in the process shared a good stand with Mayank Agarwal which got Punjab back into the match.
Both Rahul and Agarwal struck some brilliant shots during their stand. However, the dismissal of Mayank Agarwal brought about the downfall as Punjab kept losing wickets on a consistent basis. KL Rahul was the only bright spot as he kept the visitors in the game with some sensational hitting. It was Khaleel Ahmed who started the collapse for Punjab.
In the middle overs, it was Rashid Khan who controlled the game to perfection and bagged 3 crucial wickets. He bowled brilliantly and never allowed the KXIP batters to go for the big shots against his bowling. Rahu; kept on his good work and was eventually dismissed on 79. However, by then the match was done and dusted as Punjab eventually managed to score just 167 in their allotted 20 overs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab- 1st innings
It was Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin who won the toss and opted to field. SRH openers Wriddhiman Saha and David Warner got them off to the perfect start. The opening partnership of 78 runs came in just a little more than 6 overs.
Warner carried on his sensational touch and took on the KXI bowlers with disdain during his sensational display of batsmanship.
Saha was dismissed by Murugan Ashwin as he kept going for the big shots. He was dismissed for a well made 28 of just 13 deliveries. From there on it was Warner and Manish Pandey who took the onus on himself to share a big partnership between them.
The southpaw was supported very well by Manish Pandey who has returned to form in the last few matches.
The duo shared an 82 runs stand to get SRH to 160 in less than 16 overs. However, the wicket of David Warner pegged them back. However, Kane Williamson and Mohammad Nabi looked in sublime touch during their breezy knocks which eventually got SRH over the 200 mark.
They eventually posted a daunting score of 211 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Mohammad Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers bagging a couple each.