In the 28th game of IPL 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) claimed an 11-run victory against the hosts Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur) on Sunday afternoon. SRH was restricted for 151/7 in 20 overs and RR only managed to score 140/6 at the end of 20 overs.
SRH decided to bat first after winning the toss. While opener Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed for cheaply, another opener Alex Hales provided a good start with no.3 batsman and captain Kane Williamson.
Both provided a big 92-run partnership for the second wicket which set the stage for the team to put a good total on the board. Making his IPL debut, Hales scored 45 runs off 39 balls with 4 fours. On the other hand, skipper Kane Williamson scored 63 runs off 43 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
However, after their dismissals, other SRH batsmen failed to carry the innings in the same way as SRH finished their innings on 151/7 at the end of 20 overs.
Among the hosts’ bowlers, Jofra Archer (3/26) picked up three wickets while Krishnappa Gowtham (2/18) got two wickets and Jaydev Undakat (1/33) and Ish Sodhi (1/15) claimed one wicket each.
In reply, RR had a similar start as their opener Rahul Tripathi (4 runs) was sent back to the pavilion at early while another opener Ajinkya Rahane had an important 59-run partnership for the second wicket with Sanju Samson. But after Samson was dismissed on 40 runs off 30 balls with 3 fours and only six, other batsmen failed to help the skipper Rahane.
While Rahane was not out at the end with the 65-run knock (53 balls), other batsmen failed to reach the 20-run mark. As a result, RR managed to score only 140/6 at the end of 20 overs and SRH clinched another victory in the low-scoring game.
The SRH bowlers once again impressed as they are looking like a superb bowling unit. While Siddarth Kaul (2/23) picked up two wickets, Sandeep Sharma (1/15), Basil Thampi (1/26), Rashid Khan (1/31) and Yusuf Pathan (1/14) claimed one wicket each.
Here are some Twitter reactions of the match:
Archer has everything you would want to see in a GOOD fast bowler. Bowls fast, easy action, no “send offs” and plays with a smile! 😊#RRvsSRH #IPL2018
— RK (@RK_sports) April 29, 2018
Sunrisers Hyderabad Beat Rajasthan Royals Royally By 11 Runs. This Team Can Defend Any Total Against Any Team (Except #CSK). A Perfect Candidate For The Finals. 💪🙏😇#RRvSRH #OrangeArmy #RRvsSRH
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 29, 2018
SRH could defend Syria against the USA #RRvSRH #ipl
— Knor Moer (@Sarcasmisms) April 29, 2018
Brilliant over from Yusuf Pathan! Given the ball for the first time in this IPL and he delivers straightaway gets Stokes out also the ball stayed low throughout the over. SRH should try to chip 2 overs more at least from him.Rahane hold key for RR #RRvsSRH
— Jatin (@AliasJatin) April 29, 2018
No one cross the 140 strike rate that is the power of #srh bowlers# orange voice ,,,,👍👍#RRvsSRH
— Sai Kiran @dsk (@SaiKirandsk6) April 29, 2018
Another total successfully defended. SRH is Pakistan of #IPL
— cricBC (@cricBC) April 29, 2018
This is where #SRH starts squeezing the opponent dry…asking rate already 9 rpo. Two each from Kaul and Rashid in the last 6. Kane has led the team so well. #RRvSRH #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 29, 2018
Warne's expression showed the disappointment in Rajasthan camp. This was a winnable match. But how good is Sunrisers bowling? Begs the question after defending three modest targets in a row. Remarkable. Superbly led by Williamson who also made a half century. My MOM for sure
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 29, 2018
He didn't bowl a spell, he cast a spell. GO GOwtham 👏👏 #RRvSRH
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/topoprovo/status/990592989754941440
Rahul Tripathi not helping himself with his poor shot selection.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 29, 2018
Gautham scored 33 off 11 balls in the last game. He’d played only 1 ball at the start of 20th over tonight. Rahane carried his bat through….but still the team fell short by a fair margin. Points worth pondering over. #RRvSRH #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 29, 2018
In this game we saw how to defend a low score and in the next game we'll probably see how not to defend a good total #RRvSRH #RRvsSRH #RCBvKKR #RCBvsKKR #IPL2018 #IPL
— Kishore (@kishoreofficial) April 29, 2018
JOFRA ARCHER is already the MVP of this #IPL! Must see how he fares with the bat. ⚡🤘🏼#RRvSRH #IPL2018
— GauthaM 🐐 (@GauthalVl) April 29, 2018
Very unlike Hales knock. Lacked fluency and usual finish.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/Langer_Mayanti/status/990535786159226882
https://twitter.com/i_kaka10/status/990560847037689856
Aakash Chopra's Game plan how Dhawan can play cover drives #RRvSRH pic.twitter.com/mJfa4n7Yua
— Rahul(Fan Account) (@RahulM45_) April 29, 2018