Henriques fifty lifts Sunirsers to 176 against a disciplined Pune bowling

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: Moises Henriques struck a quality half-century to take Sunrisers Hyderebad to 176 for 3 against Rising Pune Superginat in an IPL encounter in Pune.

The Australian all-rounder gave the Sunrisers innings the much needed lift in the end by slamming an unbeaten 55 off 28 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.

Sent in to bat, Sunrisers like always got off to a steady start through Dhawan and Warner. Pune bowlers might not have struck early but they kept the destructive left-handers at bay by not giving them room outside off stump and limiting their stroke play. 

Making his debut, off spinner Washington Sundar did a fine job up front to keep a check on the scoring rate. The 17-year-old gave away only 19 runs in his 3 overs.

Pune got their first break through Imran Tahir, who struck on his first delivery as Dhawan (30 off 29) played an extravagant sweep shot to break the shackles. 

After Dhawan’s dismissal it was previous match hero Kane Williamson who made his way out into the centre. Just when he was threatening to repeat his actions of the previous match he was deceived by a well disguised slower one by Daniel Chirstian for 21 off 14. 

Now the onus was on Warner to lift the Sunrisers innings but the otherwise dashing left-hander perhaps left his timing in the dugout. He was finally put out of his misery by Jaydev Undakat for 43 off 40 balls – Warner’s slowest innings batting first in IPL in which he faced 30 or more balls. 

Moises Henriques then showed light with his superb touches. The right-hander, who has been the go to man for the defending champions, again took it upon himself to up the ante. He picked up 47 runs off the last 21 deliveries with some able support from Deepak Hooda (19* off 10). Shardul Tahkur got the stick from the both of them.

For Pune, Daniel Christian was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 1 for 20 in his 4 overs.