Bowlers defend another low total, Sunrisers rise to top

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and opted to bat first in the reverse leg clash against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur.

Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers' impressive defence of modest totals continued as the visitors pulled off a 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals on a tricky pitch to claim the top spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Home captain Ajinkya Rahane (65 not out, 53 balls) showed patience and Sanju Samson hit a 30-ball 40 but they left too much for the end. Hyderabad pace duo of Sandeep Sharma (1/15) and Siddarth Kaul (2/23) were very effective in drying up the runs.

The hosts required 27 from the last two overs but Siddarth Kual conceded only six runs and also removed local boy Mahipal Lomror (11).

Krishnappa Gowtham (8) could not recreate the magic he had managed against Mumbai Indians when he had blasted a 11-ball 33 to pull off a sensational win as Basil Thampi (/126 in 2 overs) did bowl an impressive final over.

Hyderabad now lead the table with 12 points and are followed by Chennai Super Kings (10) and Kings XI Punjab (10).

SRH batting

Sunrisers Hyderabad lost their way after terrific partnership between Alex Hales and captain Kane Williamson as Rajasthan Royals bowlers make a strong comeback to restrict them 151 for 7 at the Sawami Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Williamson and Hales put on a 92-run stand for the second wicket after Sunrisers lost Dhawan early. At one point they looked all set to post a total in excess of 170 but Royals made a strong comeback with the ball.

Gowtham struck to stop Hales (45) from hitting a half century on his IPL debut and his spin bowling Ish Sodhi, also making his debut, gave a body blow to the visitors by getting Williamson caught behind for 63.

West Indian all-rounder Jofra Archer then took centre stage and ran through the Sunrisers middle order with three quick wickets. They were restricted to 151 and Archer returned with stunning figures of 3 for 23. He was ably supported by off-spinner K Gowtham, who finished with 2 for 18.

Toss Report

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and opted to bat first in the reverse leg clash against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur.

There are significant changes in both the sides. New Zealand leg spinner Ish Sodhi is making his IPL debut. The debut list only begins here. Local boy Mahipal Lomror, also makes his IPL debut.

Sunrisers, on the other hand have handed an IPL debut England opener Alex Hales. It is a surprise in itself that it took eleven IPL seasons for Hales to play his first match in the T20 extravaganza. The opener, who has a T20 strike rate of 170 plus since 2017, replaces Afghan all-rounder Mohammed Nabi.

Sunrisers captain Williamson had to say this about his decision to bat first, which has not the popular choice of captains in this season.

“Day game and it looks like a very good surface. The bowling has been going on nicely. The way we have adapted to the conditions has been superb.”

“We had a couple of days off. It is important to switch off a bit. The preparation has been fantastic and the mood in the camp has been superb,” said Royals captain Rahane.

The last time these two teams met in Hyderabad, Sunrisers literraly thrashed them but a lot has changed since then and Royals would hope they can give one back to Sunrisers.

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Mahipal Lomror, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ish Sodhi

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Alex Hales, Kane Williamson(c), Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Rashid Khan, Basil Thampi, Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma