On Friday, the crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad were thoroughly entertained. Almost 400 runs were scored in the game between the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 9th math of ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Sanju Samson scored a classy century for the Royals, it was some sheer dominant batting from David Warner and Vijay Shankar who helped the home team to seal a steep chase easily in the end.
The mammoth chase of 199 runs began with Warner smacking the Rajasthan bowlers all over the park in the powerplay overs itself. He literally looked unstoppable even as Warner’s partner Jonny Bairstow enjoyed all the action standing at the other end. Within a blink of an eye, the Warner reached the fifty. Maybe he was just too happy after the 12-month ban got lifted.
Bairstow also enjoyed his stay on a belter of a pitch as the opening partnership raced past the 100-run mark inside the first 10 overs. Ben Stokes and Shreyas Gopal dismissed both of them in back-to-back deliveries. But the required run-rate was well within control for the home side.
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Vijay Shankar and Kane Williamson then added 47 runs for the third wicket. The former’s confidence has increased a lot after playing for India and it showed in his amazing hitting. But there was a collapse as Shreyas Gopal got the key wickets of Shankar and Manish Pandey off consecutive deliveries even as Jaydev Unadkat snaffled Williamson.
However, the required run-rate was always under control and Yusuf Pathan and Rashid Khan took the host over the line comfortably with one over to spare. It was the latter who did it in style with a helicopter shot off Jofra Archer in the 19th over.
Earlier in the game, Jos Buttler and Ajinkya Rahane started very slow as a result of that the former dismissed quite early in the innings by Rashid Khan. Then came Sanju Samson who smashed the first century of IPL 2019. He stitched as many as 119 runs for 2nd wicket with Rahane (70) and 64 runs for the third wicket with Ben Stokes (16).
ALSO READ: Twitterati Hails Sanju Samson For His Century
Samson started his carnage in the 18th over when he smacked 24 runs off Bhuvaneshwar Kumar with the help of six and 4 fours. With the help of that, Rajasthan managed to reach a defendable total of 198/2 as Samson amassed 102* off just 55 balls with the help of 10 fours and 4 huge sixes. However, it wasn’t sufficient for hem to win the game. Even, Ben Stokes also made his presence felt in the last over as the Royals.
Here’s how Twitter reacted during the high-scoring encounter:
When some one is in the mood like David Warner was even 200 seems a minor total. How distructive his inning was? #SRHvRR
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 29, 2019
Sunny spot on reminding us about the all-round skills; not just the bowling excellence of Rashid Khan. David Warner was in beast mode tonight and his running with Bairstow, electric!! That was impressive from @SunRisers .
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 29, 2019
What a match, fabulous finish by @rashidkhan_19 👏 #ipl #SRHvRR .
— Hashmat Shahidi (@Hashmat_50) March 29, 2019
Have been treated to such an entertaining match tonight. Batsman have enjoyed this ground & fast outfield. #feelforthebowlers #SRHvRR
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) March 29, 2019
Shankar super impressive. But need to now start finishing off games too. He should’ve taken the team home tonight. #SRHvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 29, 2019
What a brilliant innings! Coming from you, I'm not surprised! Many more to come @IamSanjuSamson
— Jalaj Saxena (@jalajsaxena33) March 29, 2019
WARNER 👀👀 #IPL2019
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2019
The things that I have to do to get slightly taller than @TomMoodyCricket!! #SRHvsRR pic.twitter.com/5ZGxmnNQnD
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) March 29, 2019
Sanju …
One Man….Many Shots ..Wonderful innings from Samson
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 29, 2019
Outstanding innings from Sanju Samson. Has been really consistent in the IPL and hopefully his performances are not forgotten and he gets a chance to be in national colours soon #SRHvRR
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 29, 2019
I think anything which is got to do with the name “SANJU” is a super hit this year! Special innings… well played #ajju. #SRHvRR #VIVOIPL #GameBanayegaName
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) March 29, 2019
What a game @SunRisers vs @rajasthanroyals well done @IamSanjuSamson for scoring ur 2nd 100 in ipl.. outstanding batting @davidwarner31 looks like u were not away from the game at all.. superb inn @jbairstow21..
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 29, 2019
Vijay Shankar last 10 #IPL inns since 27 Apr 2018… dismissed twice!
0*
54*
17 v RR (bowler: Unadkat)
23*
0*
21*
36*
43*
40*
35 v RR (bowler: S Gopal)
Summary: 269 runs in 167 balls, ave 134.50, S/r 161, 14 fours, 16 sixes#SRHvRR#IPL2019— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 29, 2019
An indian player plays a good innings
*le cricket experts* #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/94CUdrjgZa
— Pinch Hitter (@pinch_hitt_) March 29, 2019
Centuries against SRH in the IPL:
2013-2017 – 1 century (by Brendon McCullum in 2015)
Since 2018 – 5 centuries (Gayle, Pant, Rayudu, Watson, Samson)#SRHvRR #IPL2019— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 29, 2019
