IPL 2018: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Highlights: SRH bowlers pull off another thrilling win

Sunrisers Hyderabads players celebrate after defeating Rajasthan Royals during their IPL match in Jaipur on Sunday — Sunrisers Hyderabad's players celebrate after defeating Rajasthan Royals' during their IPL match in Jaipur on Sunday

Jaipur, April 29: On a hot day at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers once again pulled off a thrilling victory as they breached the Rajasthan Royals’ fortress, defeating them by 11 runs. The Sunrisers who had earlier put on a total of 151, defeated the Royals and climbed to the top of the table on Sunday (April 29). This is the third time in a week where the batting has been meagre, but the bowlers have been exceptional for the Hyderabad outfit.

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Chasing an under-par total of 151, the Royals got off to a flying start, after the early setback of Rahul Tripathi’s wicket. Sanju Samson and skipper Ajinkya Rahane gave the Royals a solid start. Samson smashed the ball around the park, making merry of the dreaded Hyderabad bowling attack. The duo looked settled in the middle and were comfortably cruising towards the easy total. But SRH bowling is a feared one. And once again they found their much needed breakthrough as Samson was caught straight at mid-wicket by Alex Hales, off a Siddarth Kaul delivery.

With the momentum broken, the Royals struggled as they lost the big wicket of Ben Stokes (0) in the very next over, followed by Jos Buttler. At this stage the Royals were languishing at 98-4 at 14.3 overs. But though skipper Rahane was still at the helm, the game went the visitors way as some exceptional fielding and quick wickets saw the Royals on the losing side.

Rajasthan Royals Squad | Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad

Siddarth Kaul once again led the show with a two-wicket haul, while Sandeep Sharma, Basil Thampi, Rashid Khan and Yusuf Pathan picked up a wicket a piece.

Earlier, the Royals bowlers put up a dominant show, as they restricted the Sunrisers Hyderabad to 151/7. With the temperature crossing the 40 mark in Jaipur, the bowlers brought some respite to the fans as they brought the visitors crashing back to earth after SRH were cruising at 99 for 1 at one stage. The last eight overs saw the game turn on its head as the Royals picked up six wickets, giving away only 52 runs.

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After opting to bat, skipper Kane Williamson continued his stellar form this season, as he along with Alex Hales built up a strong 90-run partnership to solidify the innings. After getting off to a slow start and losing opener Shikhar Dhawan early, Williamson along with Alex Hales steadied the Sunrisers ship. Krishnappa Gowtham gave the Royals an ideal start, conceding just three off the first over. But Hales was quick to turn it around in the very next, smashing Dhawal Kulkarni for 14 runs. Just when it looked like Hales and Dhawan would make merry at the Jaipur stadium, Gowtham struck yet again, picking up Dhawan’s wicket in the third over. This is the third consecutive time that India regular Dhawan has failed with the willow.

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Dhawan’s wicket made way for skipper Williamson. The duo of Williamson and Hales (45 off 39) turned the SRH innings on its head as they got the much needed momentum. Skipper Williamson who was dropped in the fifth over, off a Jofra Archer delivery, by Rahul Tripathi at slip, made the most of his lifeline, as the New Zealand captained who is in run for the Orange Cap, continued his dominant run with the willow. Williamson’s 63 off 43 was studded with 7 fours and 2 sixes.

With SRH running away with the innings, Gowtham broke the momentum, picking up his second wicket of the match. Sanju Samson took an easy catch as Hales failed to get much bat on it. Hales’ 45 off 39 included four boundaries. With the momentum broken, Royals got the prized wicket off Williamson. New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi, playing in his debut IPL match, dismissed his countrymate Williamson to bring SRH crashing back to earth. Williamson who was caught behind by Buttler, asked for an appeal, but the umpire’s decision was held and the captain walked off the field.

From there on it was all downhill for the visitors, as they lost four wickets in quick succession. Jofra Archer once again led the bowling attack, picking up three wickets for 26 runs. Gowtham also chipped in with two, giving away just 18 runs. Unadkat, who picked up Manish Pandey’s wicket, leaked the most runs as he gave away 33 in just 3 overs. But overall the Royals bowlers came to the party as they restricted SRH to a below par score.

With the win the Sunrisers climbed to the top with twelve points from 8 matches, while the Royals lied fifth with six points.