New Delhi: Batsman scoring big, bowlers on target, if there was anything that appeared pale was their fielding. But Sunrisers would take that as long as their batting and bowling overpowers everything, like it did on Friday when they beat Kings XI Punjab by a comprehensive margin of 26 runs.
Defending a mammoth 207, Sunrisers bowlers were on target like always. With a little bit of help from the fielders they would have been able to bowl out Kings XI cheaply, which wasn’t the case.
For Kings XI, Shaun Marsh fought a lone battle with a superb 84-run inning off just 50 balls but failed to get his team over the line. The pressure of chasing over 200 got to the otherwise strong Kings XI batting line up.
Guptill, who replaced an injured Hashim Alma in the playing XI, started off in glorious fashion, pulling a six over long leg and bludgeoning a boundary through long off. But his innings was cut short by Bhuvnehswar Kumar. The Purple cap holder deceived him with a slower one for 23.
Bhuvneshwar, who has been the most impressive bowler this IPL season, continued to dominate the batsmen and his impeccable line and length at crucial juncture yet again proved a boon for his side.
Afghan spinner Rashid Khan was exceptional in the middle overs. He choked the Punjab batsmen with his superb control over line and length. He conceded only two runs in his first 12 balls which meant that the required run-rate mounted to 13.20 after 10 overs.
Overall, he gave away only 16 runs in his four-over quota and also dismissed dangerous Eoin Morgan.
Siddarth Kaul accounted for three batsmen -- Maxwell (0), Wriddhiman Saha (2) and Axar Patel (16).
Earlier, home skipper Glenn Maxwell invited Hyderabad to bat but could hardly trouble the visitors who negotiated the attack with remarkable ease.
The platform for Hyderabad's second 200-plus total was set by the 107-run stand between Dhawan and Warner.
After Dhawan and Warner did the job with their half- centuries, Kiwi batsman Williamson provided the finishing touches to Hyderabad innings with his fiery knock that came off just 27 balls.
Dhawan and Warner struck the ball hard and clean, sending the fielders on a leather hunt even as the ball swung a bit initially, suggesting that pacers may dictate the terms.
However, none of the bowlers could make an impression with the two left-handers finding boundaries at will. The runs came at a good pace and Hyderabad had put on board 100 runs before the half-way mark.
Skipper Maxwell (2/29) introduced himself to the attack and succeeded in sending back his counterpart, who swept and missed only to see his stumps rattled. Warner's 51 came off just 27 balls with four sixes and and as many fours.
By that time the damage was already done and Hyderabad were set for a big total. Kane Williamson joined Dhawan at the crease and there was a period of 18 balls when no boundary was scored.
Williamson broke the shackles as he opened his arms to smack Axar Patel for a huge six over mid-wicket region.
Mohit Sharma dismissed Dhawan, who holed out to Maxwell in the mid-wicket region. Dhawan took 48 balls for his knock which had nine shots to the fence and one over the ropes.
His fall brought Yuvraj (15) to the crease and the onus to exploit the good work done by the openers was on him and his Kiwi partner. However the left-hander could not contribute much, becoming second victim of Maxwell.
Williamson though ensured that Hyderabad cross the 200- run mark with his innings which was laced with six boundaries, including two sixes.