During the 16th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Mohali, Kings XI Punjab beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 15 runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin took a bold decision of winning the toss and choosing to bat. Punjab scored a handsome 193-3 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad never really seem to compete in the chase. Losing wickets at the starting costed them the most as they scored 178-4 in 20 overs.
Now, we will look at the hits and flops players in this match.
Hits
Chris Gayle (KXIP) – Opening the batting with Lokesh Rahul, Chris Gayle remained unbeaten throughout the 20 overs, scoring his sixth IPL century and 21st overall in T20s. After starting on a high note in the powerplay, Gayle took his time in the middle, but ended the innings in a manner which his team would have liked. Entering several records, Gayle ended up scoring 104* (63) with the help of one fours and 11 sixes.
Manish Pandey (SRH) – Despite losing the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad earned a positive from this match in terms of Manish Pandey’s form. An important cog in the wheel for Hyderabad, Pandey’s indifferent form might have been a worry for them. However, this innings would have given the management some confidence. He scored 57* (42) with the help of three fours and a six.
Andrew Tye (KXIP) – Known for his ability to restrict the opposition batsmen, it was today when Andrew Tye stood all on the expectations bestowed upon him. Bowling first change for Kings XI Punjab, he ended up with bowling figures of 4-0-23-2.
Flops
Rashid Khan (SRH) – It was baffling to see Rashid Khan go for runs tonight. Not just about the runs, the way in which he conceded runs was even more saddening for the Sunrisers’ fans. His bowling figures of 4-0-55-1 was predominantly because of Chris Gayle’s heroics, who hit Rashid Khan for six sixes in the match.
Wriddhiman Saha (SRH) – In the four matches that Sunrisers Hyderabad have played in this season of the IPL so far, they have given a fair chance to Wriddhiman Saha at the top of the order. That being said, the management might have to consider that decision for Saha has scored 47 runs in four matches at an average of 14.25. In tonight’s match, where his team needed him to provide a substantial start, he ended up scoring 6 (7) with the help of one four.
Ravichandran Ashwin (KXIP) – Ravichandran Ashwin has been calling the shots to perfection since the start of this IPL. The captaincy part of his game was worth the praise today as well. However, he failed with the ball in hand tonight, conceding 53 runs in four overs.
