The hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad had the last laugh beating Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Sunrisers chased down 199 runs set by Rajasthan with six balls to spare.
Chasing a massive target of 199 runs, David Warner started in the fifth gear itself. The southpaw smacked everything that came towards him while Jonny Bairstow played second fiddle and mostly relied on ones and two’s. In that process, Warner has struck a 29-ball fifty and been finding boundaries on both sides of the ground. Rajasthan Royals were guilty of being too straight initially but have been unable to contain him even after correcting their lines. The Australia batsman single-handedly powered Hyderabad to 69 at the end of the powerplays.
They soon reached the 100-run mark before Ben Stokes got the wicket of David Warner (69). The southpaw tried to hook the ball only finding the top-edge to Dhawal Kulkarni at the fine-leg. Vijay Shankar picked up exactly where Warner and Bairstow left, but a stunning over from Shreyas Gopal brought the visitors back in the game. However, Yusuf Pathan and Rashid Khan kept nerves to guide the hosts home with one to go.
Samson scores the first hundred of IPL 12
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad started well with Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan plotting Jos Buttler’s wicket after Rajasthan Royals opted to bat first. But after that, it was carnage with a touch of elegance from skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson. Rahane and Samson stitched a 100+ stand with both getting to their respective milestones, but the latter kept going and brought up his 2nd IPL ton. Although Samson lost his partner in the middle, that didn’t deter him from bringing the first century of the season.
Sanju Samson was class apart as he tore apart arguably the best bowling attack in the tournament. He smacked Bhuvneshwar Kumar – India’s best in the limited overs format, for 24 runs in one over to stamp his authority. The talented batsman from Kerala remained unbeaten on 102 runs including ten fours and four sixes as Rajasthan posted 198 runs on the board.
However, Samson’s outstanding innings went in vain as the bowlers failed to rise up to defend the target.
Twitter Reactions:
He can bowl.
He can field.
And he can also bat.
Rashid Khan is the Most Valued T20 player in the world ? #SRHvRR #IPL— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/being_ayush_/status/1111691302838521856
Warner-Bairstow-Kane-Shankar. Expecting #SRH to have a different strategy this year. No longer the team that defends low totals but the team that posts and chases down big totals. Bowling looking a little concern anyway…. #SRHvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/graphicalcomic/status/1111676009873633281
I know people consider Raina as one true IPL Legend but if u ask me it’s #Warner Delivers almost everytime
Not just that he kinda demolish the confidence of bowler & opponent captain.
He is truly back #SRHvRR #IPL2019— Surya Prakash (@itssuryahere) March 29, 2019
Gotta feel for bowlers out there! First Sanju Samson and now @davidwarner31 another century awaited! Classy batting tonight? #SRHvRR #OrangeArmy #warnar
— Dr.Shweta Hajare (@HajareShwetaa) March 29, 2019
@vijayshankar260 is enjoying this Royals bowling attack today. Looks like he solves the 2 down position problem in Indian team squad. One of the cleanest striker of ball under any conditions. Book him tickets for the world cup ASAP @BCCI#SRHvRR @IPL #VivoIPL2019
— Aravindh R (@aravindhram) March 29, 2019
Piece of cake now #orangearmy #srh #SRHvRR #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/kGbUjLNUiy
— Krishna Haranath (@iamharnad) March 29, 2019
Jaydev Unadkat in Auction. #SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/xtyeZabN11
— Prince Pandey?? (@princepandey_) March 29, 2019
@rashidkhan_19 Maya… ?
Fabulous shots… ?#OrangeArmy #SRHvRR— SarkaruVaariPaata? (@chetanchaitu11) March 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/AliOnlyshera/status/1111674026072506368
David Warner's warning to bowlers: pic.twitter.com/vy6FphHc9l
— amit (@malhani_367) March 29, 2019
So with 2 in 2 "Shreyas Gopal" saves his place for rest of 12 games. #SRHvRR
— Pankaj (@Funky_Pankaj) March 29, 2019
I think that sunrisers Hyderabad have Best batting lineup instead of the best bowling unit. With warner,bairstow Williamson, vijay Shankar ,manish pandey they are the best batting lineup.#SRHvRR #VIVOIPL #IPL2019 #cbhaveyoursay @cricbuzz @StarSportsIndia
— Shraman Pande (@Shra_Man) March 29, 2019
When you thought you have seen the best of this @IPL from Sanju Samson,
Davhad Warner be like, #IPL #SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/8Di1YMx0oU
— Sai Veer (@SaiVeer07) March 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/TrollDevendra/status/1111680536014213120
RR players right now watching Warner ??#SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/QB72RklmAW
— nishhh.⁷ (@myouikapoors) March 29, 2019
#SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/cIny7wGdG2
— [email protected] (@CrickipediaB) March 29, 2019
David Warner right now
#SRHvRR pic.twitter.com/9RJ4yHpn2o— ??.???? (@imlav_) March 29, 2019
What is Unadkat’s role in the RR team? Is to get paid shit tons of money every year and do nothing? #SRHvRR #IPL2019
— Chandima Karunaratne (@chankarunaratne) March 29, 2019
What has happened to Hyderabad Pitch ????
Ball coming soo nicely on Bat… Quite unseen here #SRHvRR @StarSportsIndia— Khushi | ಖುಷಿ | खुशी ?? (@Khushi_Be) March 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/Secret_Saanta/status/1111683995945893888
मनीष पांडे से सिर्फ फील्डिंग कराया करो बाकी सब इसके बस की पहले भी नहीं थी।#SRHvRR
— legendrock31 (@Munnaaaaahhhhh) March 29, 2019