Bengaluru, March 24: Comeback man David Warner would be the cynosure of all eyes when last year's finalist Sunrisers Hyderabad open their campaign against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the 12th Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (March 24).
Under Warner's captaincy Sunrisers won their maiden IPL title in 2016 and a year later, he was the leading run-getter for his team.
IPL SPECIAL PAGE | KKR vs SRH Preview
But the Australian opener missed the last IPL because of last year's infamous ball tampering episode in Cape Town, and is set make his IPL comeback alongside Steve Smith. Warner will be the most scrutinised player for Sunrisers this season after he was banned for a year over his role in the ball-tampering scandal.
While Warner and Smith were banned for a year, young Cameron Bancroft was left out for nine months for his role. And come this year, both Warner and Smith would be hoping to make an impact for their respective IPL sides.
Kane Williamson, who led them to runners-up finish in the Aussie's absence last season, will continue to captain Sunrisers. Sunrisers, led by the captain cool from New Zealand, is a team that is known for its depth and variation in bowling.
In KKR's camp, skipper Dinesh Karthik will look to make most of the IPL opportunity to get the selectors' attention. Taking charge of the team after Gautam Gambhir's exit, Karthik led KKR to third place finish following their loss to SRH in the second eliminator last year. KKR have roped in Carlos Brathwaite to go along side Andre Russell, Sunil Narine as they would look to reinforce their batting firepower with Chris Lynn.
Here’s MyKhel’s Live Updates for the Sunrisers Hyderabad versus Kolkata Knight Riders match at Eden Gardens:
Match-winning knock
WHAT A KNOCK by DRE RUSS! 🔥🔥🔥#KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/t5pQWzCbnF
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
Andre Russell came to the party late but guided Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling 6 wicket victory over Sunrises Hyderabad. Russell-Gill partnership off 65 of 26 took the game away from SRH. A phenomenal turnaround! An edge-of-the-seat thriller!
KKR win!!!! What a turnaround! KKR beat SRH by 6 wickets. Russell-Gill partnership off 65 of 26 took the game away from SRH A phenomenal turnaround!
MAXIMUM!! This time Shubman Gill is the man! Just 5 needed off 4
Last over: Shakib starts with a wide
ANOTHER MAXIMUM!!! He's nailing the deliveries and guiding KKR to victory! Right out of the park The Windies man taking the game away
MAXIMUM!!!!! Muscle power! Sends it into the crowd! The big man taking away the game from SRH?
SLAMMED IT! Russells taking Kaul to the cleaners. Is it too late or just in time!
RUSSELL COMES TO THE PARTY!! Two maximums in a row. The big man is hitting Kaul all over the park!
Brilliant over from Bhuvi as the match slips away from the home team. The asking rate has climbed to 17.66
The match back on and the first ball back Rashid Khan strikes! Dismisses the KKR big man. Rana goes for 68 off 47. Untimely wicket for KKR. Break in momentum for Rana and KKR lose an important wicket.
Play interrupted due to floodlight failure! The players enjoying a long break!
💡❌
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
A floodlight failure causes a delay in the proceedings!#KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar
Umpires have decided to take the strategic timeout as the some of the lights have gone off at the Eden Gardens!
FOUR! Rana the man again!
#KKR - 114/3, 15 Overs
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
🎯 - 182
5 OVERS TO GO! NEED 68 MORE RUNS! #KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar
MAXIMUM! Rana the run machine can bring them home!
21 runs 2 wickets in last 3.2 overs. KKR now need some MAXIMUMS to bring down the run rate. KKR need 75 off 33. The run rate has creeped up to 13.63
Rana brings up his 50. His sixth in IPL. Rana needs a big inning here to salvage the game for the home team. KKR need 85 from 42 balls.
#KKR - 97/3, 13 Overs
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
🎯 - 182
50 FOR NITISH RANA, CLASSY INNINGS!#KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar
OUT!!! What a blow for the home team! Sandeep Sharma gets his man. Bhuvi takes the catch as KKR stumble in their chase. The skipper walks back for just 2 off 4. KKR 95/3 in 12.4 overs
Rana continues his fine form. Starts the over with a boundary. Nails the sweep beautifully for a four. Following Uthappa's dismissal the KKR skipper has walked onto the field.
OUT!!! Kaul comes to SRH's rescue! Uthappa gone for 35 off 27. The off stump is flattened as Kaul get his man. KKR 87/2 in 11.4 overs
ANOTHER MAXIMUM of Rashid's over! This time Rana lifts it for six!
MAXIMUM!!!! Uthappa hits Rashid for a maximum!
The required rate has creeped up to 10.29 and KKR need to check the run rate to keep the game in hand. A couple of boundaries needed now.
The star of SRH's innings David Warner gives the fans a little wave as he walks towards the boundary.
DROPPED!!! Yusuf Pathan drops a sitter at long off. Rashid frustrated. Uthappa gets a lifeline. KKR 59/1 in 7.5 overs
DROPPED! @robbieuthappa survives as Yusuf drops a sitter! 🙂#KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
Kaul bowls a tight over.. slow down the KKR's innings. Just four runs off the over. The Knights need 131 from 13 overs. SRH bring in Rashid Khan!
Uthappa doing what he does best!
This outfield is ⚡️, @robbieuthappa hits it straight for a four!#KKRvSRH #VIVOIPL #KKRHaiTaiyaar pic.twitter.com/9HGJrPKgXx
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 24, 2019
Uthappa joins the party. Timed it really well. Down the ground for a boundary. KKR’s slowly getting back into the groove.
Rana smashes another boundary on the last ball and Sandeep Sharma leaked 14 runs. No more overs left in the powerplay
MAXIMUM! Rana is on fire here! Just what KKR needs after that early wicket. The timings perfect, the lengths full and after a little doubt its confirmed as a maximum. Four followed by six and Rana's on a roll at the Eden Gardens