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IPL 9: David Warner's blitz powers Hyderabad to 15-run win over RCB

Rohan Raj | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:50 IST

After losing their last game in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) produced an all-round performance to return to the winning ways following their 15-run triumph against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium on 30 April.

Asked to bat first, the home side posted a compelling total of 194 runs - their highest score this season - amid a splendid batting effort from captain David Warner (92) and Kane Williamson (50).

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Shikhar Dhawan's poor form this season continued as the left-hander was dismissed by Kane Richardson for just 11 runs. Hyderabad, reeling at 28/1, managed to score just 33 runs in the first five overs as Virat Kohli's decision started to make sense.

However, a sizzling 124-run partnership between Warner and WIlliamson for the second wicket turned the tide in favour of Hyderabad. Warner did bulk of the scoring for his side, notching up his half-century off 32 balls - his fifth this season.

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Warner had already assessed the conditions while reaching his fifty in the 10th over and the pocket dynamite, thereon, decided to step on the gas. To the sheer delight of the home fans, both Warner and Williamson cut loose and hammered the RCB bowlers all around the park.

Over a period of next five overs, the duo scored more than ten runs an over and added a vital 65 runs for their side. Warner continued his assault on the opposition bowlers, smashing two sixes and a four in Richardson's 15th over - which yielded 19 runs.

In the next over, Warner smacked Tabraiz Shamsi for a towering six to move into the 90s. But, just when it appeared that the Aussie cricketer would notch up his hundred, Shamsi got him caught at long-off at a score of 92 runs (9x4s and 5x6s).

At the other end, Williamson - who got to play his first game this season - also reached his fifty on his maiden IPL 9 appearance. The New Zealand captain notched up his half-century in 47 deliveries, including seven boundaries.

Hyderabad were all set for the acceleration when Shane Watson dismissed Williamson in the 17th over. The right-handed batsman was looking to flay the upper cut when a faint edge went straight into the hands of KL Rahul behind the stumps.

Though the hosts lost Naman Ojha (1) and Deepak Hooda (2) cheaply, Moises Henriques played a quickfire innings of 31 runs in just 14 balls to provide a late surge to Hyderabad. The right-handed batsman smoked three sixes and a four in his unbeaten knock that made all the difference in the end.

Barring the powerplay overs, Bangalore missed the trick in the later half of the game. Richardson, who conceded 11.25 runs an over, turned out to be their best bowler with the figures of 2-45 in four overs. Watson (1-33) and Shamsi (1-39) were the other wicket-takers for RCB.

Needing 9.75 runs an over, the visitors knew they had a task at hand. But, the team would have surely backed themselves to chase the target at the helm of an explosive batting line-up.

Bangalore got off to an flying start with Rahul (51) looking in destructive mode. The youngster played impressive shots and then backed them up with a single on the next ball. The visitors accumulated 42 runs in just five overs and seemed prepared to challenge Hyderabad's bowling unit.

While Rahul was inflicting the damage, RCB captain Virat Kohli (14) was scoring at run-a-ball before he played a cut off Mustafizur Rahman straight into the hands of point to lose his wicket in the sixth over.

Rahul and AB de Villiers (47) added 41 runs off 28 balls before the former edged Henriques' delivery to Ojha behind the stumps. The right-handed batsman slammed six fours and a six in his 28-ball innings.

With 112 runs required from the final 10 overs, Bangalore needed the big guns - De Villiers and Watson - to fire all cylinders. But, the visitors lost the crucial wicket of Watson in the 12th over after he was run-out for a mere two runs.

Despite Watson's dismissal, De Villiers - who was given a reprieve on 3 and 17 - continued his onslaught and thrashed Henriques for successive sixes in the 14th over. His luck finally ran out in the next over when he picked Williamson at long-on in a bid to smash Barinder Sran out of the park.

Sachin Baby (27) and Kedar Jadhav (25*) tried their best to get closer to the target, but Bangalore eventually fell short by 15 runs. It was the fourth loss for Kohli's men who are currently struggling at the seventh spot with just two wins in six matches.

On the other hand, Hyderabad look secure at the fourth position with four wins and three losses in seven matches so far.

First published: 1 May 2016, 2:34 IST
 
Rohan Raj @ro4an_raj

After a poor stint in gully-cricket quashed his hopes of turning pro, Rohan moved away from the playing field and began criticising those who were still on it. Football eases his mind and watching City paint Manchester blue is his elusive dream. When not talking, thinking or dreaming about sports, Rohan can be found listening to EDM or watching movies. A sports correspondent at Catch News, he has previously worked with Hindustan Times, Daily Bhaskar and India Today.