In the 25th game of IPL 2018, hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) claimed victory in another low-scoring game and this time against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (Uppal, Hyderabad) on Thursday night. While SRH only managed to score 132/8 in 20 overs, KXIP was bundled out for just 119 runs in 19.2 overs.
KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin decided to field first after winning the toss. SRH lost their top three batsmen very early as they were once 27/3 in 4.5 overs. Opener Shikhar Dhawan scored just 11 runs while another opener and skipper Kane Williamson was dismissed for a duck. Soon, no.3 wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha also went to the pavilion after scoring just 6 runs.
Next two batsman Manish Pandey and Shakib Al Hasan put a very important 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Later, Pandey had another good 49-run partnership with Yusuf Pathan for the fifth wicket.
While KXIP fielders dropped few good chances specially for Manish Pandey, SRH was able to put 132/6 on the board at the end of 20 overs. Pandey scored 54 runs and Shakib played a crucial 28-run knock while Yusuf Pathan was not out for 21 runs.
Among the KXIP bowlers, Ankit Rajpoot bowled brilliantly as he grabbed 5 wickets for just 14 runs (4-0-14-5). He became the first Indian uncapped player to claim a five-wicket haul in an IPL match. Also, Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up one wicket.
In reply, KXIP in-form openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle began the innings very well as they put 55-run partnership for the opening wicket. KL Rahul scored 32 runs while Chris Gayle played a 23-run knock. However, the visiting batting totally collapsed after the opening partnership broken. None of other KXIP batsmen reached the 20-run mark as they were bundled out for just 119 runs. SRH snatched another remarkable victory as this time they won this low-scoring game by 13 runs.
Amon the SRH bowlers, leg-spinner Rashid Khan (3/19) claimed three wickets while Sandeep Sharma (2/17), Siddarth Kaul (2/14) and Shakib Al Hasan (2/18) picked up two wickets each.
Here are some Twitter reactions of the match:
https://twitter.com/hankypanty/status/989533436040892417
Kudos @SunRisers. Thought defending two low scores consecutively may be too much, especially with Bhuvi absent. What a terrific performance!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 26, 2018
No bhuvi, No stanlake.. No big names in the blowing unit except Rashid.. But SRH banging with blowing.. Best blowing side ever.. #SRHvsKXIP..
— Rajkumar Tupakula (@I_Raj067) April 26, 2018
From 55-0 this is a crazy collapse by Punjab!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 26, 2018
Woah! Shakib caught but it is a no ball. Now put your head down and play 20 overs. Irresponsible stuff so far.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 26, 2018
With that bowling action, Manoj Tiwary will make even Kedar Jadhav and Lasith Malinga jealous. #IPL
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) April 26, 2018
Rashid Khan in IPL:
Total wickets: 24
Bowled & LBW: 17Awesome accuracy!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 26, 2018
Tactical drops from KXIP? Pandey dropped thrice.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 26, 2018
Sorry but Saha can't be playing in PP. He doesn't have the game. Yes he hit 20 ball ton earlier maybe he was facing RCB bowlers. Rest all will work him out quickly.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 26, 2018
Kamran XI Punjab. #KXIP
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 26, 2018
SRH's spinners have been the most economical this IPL – econ. of 7.35. (RCB's been the worst – 8.97)
Rashid 8 wkts at economy 7.07
Shakib 8 wkts at economy 7.17#OrangeArmy #SRHvKXIP— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 26, 2018
Remember hearing Glenn McGrath say that he rates Ankit Rajpoot very highly. And from the matches that he has played, we know why. Gets bounce and has bowled superbly. SRH in trouble #SRHvKXIP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 26, 2018
What if RCB batting and SRH bowling combines…👏👌👀#SRHvsKXIP #KentCricketLive #RCB #SRH
— Ganesh Kamalapur (@Ganeshkamalapur) April 26, 2018
Batting wins you matches, bowling wins you tournaments.
SRH are serious contenders for the title this year.#SRHvsKXIP
— Rupin Kale (@Vegansportlover) April 26, 2018
Don't care where he bats. KL Rahul should be playing all formats for India. #SRHvsKXIP
— Sharan Turlapati (@S_Turlapati) April 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/rsponnathpur/status/989562499547648000
#siddharthkaul should be playing for India #SRHvsKXIP @BCCI
— Rebel_warrior (@uttamkaul) April 26, 2018
Another low scoring humdinger? @SunRisers seem to revel under pressure!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 26, 2018
Best bowling figures in a losing cause in the #IPL:
6/19 Adam Zampa (RPS), 2016 – v SRH
5/14 A RAJPOOT (KXIP), 2018 – v SRH
5/16 James Faulkner (RR), 2013 – v SRH#SRHvKXIP #IPL2018— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) April 26, 2018
