New Delhi: Twin half centuries by Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a 15-run win over Delhi Daredevils in Hyderabad.
Defending 191, Sunrisers bowlers held their nerves led by debutant Mohammad Siraj and Bhvneshwar Kumar and restricted Delhi to 176 for 4 in their 20 overs.
The decision to include Kane Williamson proved to be a masterstroke as the New Zealand captain presented one of his best IPL knocks after losing captain David Warner (4) cheaply.
Williamson again proved that T20 cricket is not about power. He scored a classy 89 off just 51 balls. Unlike a normal Williamson innings which is dominated by boundaries, this innings had 5 sixes in it.
Williamson used the crease to good effect and was severe on Angelo Matthews by taking the Sri Lankan captain for 2 sixes in one over.
When Williamson had taken the attack to the opposition, Dhawan acted as the perfect foil. He rotated the strike and kept the scoreboard ticking. The duo put together a match-defining 136 run stand for the second wicket.
Dhawan was out for 70 off 50 balls. His innings was laced with 7 fours and a six.
Chasing 192 for a win, Delhi were in the hunt as they reached 56 for 1 at the end of six powerplay overs with Sanju Samson (42) and Karun Nair (33) going great guns though they lost Sam Billings (13) early on.
But once Samson and Nair were out, Delhi innings lost way and the asking rate piled up. They needed 65 from the final five overs but could only score 49 with the Hyderabad side bowlers coming up with a fine bowling show at the death overs.
Needing 24 runs from the final over, Delhi made a valiant attempt but ended up 15 runs short in the end.
Shreyas Iyer played a tried his best but the asking rate was too much for him. He remained unbeaten on 50 off 31.
For Hyderabad, Mohammed Siraj took two wickets for 39 runs while Siddarth Kaul and Yuvraj Singh grabbed a wicket each.