IPL 2018: Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Delhi Daredevils: Williamson, Rashid guide SRH to a clinical win

Hyderabad, May 5: Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their winning streak and climbed at the top of the points table as they defeated Delhi Daredevils by 7 wickets in thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 encounter her on Saturday (May 5).

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A brilliant opening stand between Alex Hales (45 off 31 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (33 off 30) gave SRH just the kind of start they needed in the run chase in front of a strong home crowd at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Very good performance from @SunRisers at Hyderabad !! Well played @PrithviShaw , @rashidkhan_19 #SRHvDD

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 5, 2018

Later, skipper Kane Williamson's composed unbeaten knock of 30-ball 32 and heroics of Yusuf Pathan (12-ball 27*) took Hyderabad home with 7 wickets in hand and 1 ball to spare. Had it not been Pathan's blistering knock, the Sunrisers would have fallen marginally short of the target in the tricky run chase. Manish Pandey (21 off 17) was the third wicket that Sunrisers lost in the run chase.

I could watch the Hales dismissal on loop. Brilliant that was from MishraJi #SRHvDD

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 5, 2018

This win would have given Sunrisers too much of confidence for they were failing to score big in the last few games. However, their bowlers were ensuring they defend whatever total was put on the scoreboard from their batsmen.

SRH's highest successful chase at Hyderabad and highest for any team at the venue since 2014. #SRHvDD

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 5, 2018

Delhi bowlers, especially Amit Mishra (4-0-19-2), had almost helped them defend the total which seemed respectable on a track where spinners were getting maximum purchase. It all boiled down to the final over for the two teams as 15 runs were required off the final over for the hosts to score.

The @SunRisers have the Best bowling attack this IPL and there are no second thoughts about it but their batting front needed someone like a Yusuf to come good to see them through with the bat. What better timing and occasion to bring it on. All grounds covered now 👍👍 #SRHvDD

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) May 5, 2018

Pathan, who survived a dropped catch and later an LBW decision - which he overturned via DRS, lived up to the reputation of being a power hitter ensured SRH cross the line in the death overs.

Yusuf Pathan has remained not out in a successful chases 19 times in IPL - joint-most with Ravindra Jadeja.

Two times he has remained not out in a unsuccessful chase. #SRHvDD

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 5, 2018

As for Delhi, it is almost an end to their hopes of making into the playoffs with this loss. They must be blaming those dropped catches and perhaps the decision of playing with just one spinner, which went against them.

Earlier, Daredevils could not cash in on the brilliant platform laid by young Prithvi Shaw as Sunrisers restricted them to 163 for 5. Shaw smashed 65 off 36 balls but after scoring 95 in the first 10 overs, DD managed only 67 in the back 10 with the pitch getting slower and the odd delivery holding up.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan (2/23 in 4 overs) was the most impressive bowler for Sunrisers as he put the brakes in the second half of the Delhi innings. The Afghan spinner, who was playing his 100th T20 game, was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant figures.

Defending small totals - ✔️
Chasing the target down - Yes, they Kane! 💪

The #OrangeArmy have marched to the top of the table! #SRHvDD #RivalryWeek pic.twitter.com/ZCvXnWOwds

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 5, 2018

Shaw once again provided a blazing start, reaching to his second IPL half-century in only 25 balls. His innings had six boundaries and three huge sixes.

He teed off with six over long on off Sandeep Sharma and then lofted Shakib Al Hasan inside out for his second maximum. The most fruitful over was the final one in the Powerplay where Shaw literally got stuck into Siddarth Kaul, hitting him for a six and three boundaries.

Rashid Khan has 147 wickets after 100 Twenty20 matches. The only bowler who had more wickets than him at this stage of career was Krishmar Santokie (158 wkts). #SRHvDD

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) May 5, 2018

The 18-year-old is one of the cleanest hitters among the 'Gen-Next' players. With a slight backfoot trigger towards leg-stump, the Mumbaikar makes room and plays his shots all around the wicket.

While there is a preference for straight hits, he is equally adept in hitting the cut shots and is not afraid to pull the short balls when the need arises. Till Shaw was taking on the bowlers, his skipper Shreyas Iyer (44 off 36 balls) played the second fiddle to perfection during their 86-run stand.

Shaw was finally out when he tried to hit Rashid Khan against the turn, gifting a simple catch to Kaul at short third man. Skipper Iyer was looking good for another half-century before his attempted flick shot off Siddarth Kaul's bowling was snapped by Shikhar Dhawan at deep mid-wicket.

A little fellow from Mumbai with an MRF bat plays a dazzling knock but ends up on the losing side. Seen that before... #SRHvDD

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 5, 2018

Delhi's top run-getter in the season, Rishabh Pant (18 off 19 balls) was off-colour as Rashid trapped him leg-before.

Naman Ojha, getting his first look-in in the tournament, was run-out. From 95 for 1, Delhi slumped to 134 for 5 in the space of 6.4 overs. It was Vijay Shankar (23 off 13 balls), who gave Bhuvneshwar Kumar, coming back from injury, the charge to take Delhi past 160-run mark.

(With inputs from PTI)