SRH : 136/9, 20.0 overs; Pune Breach Hyderabad Fortress, Win By 12 Runs
Unadkat to S Kaul, no run, RPS have breached the SRH fortress. First loss for Warner and Co. at home. It was the dreaded slower one from Unadkat and Kaul tapped it towards extra cover. Nehra was never interested in the single and the throw went to the striker’s end. Kaul was back in and the TV umpire confirms the same.
Unadkat to Bhuvneshwar, out Caught by Manoj Tiwary!! There it is. Third hat-trick of the season. He is chuffed to bits. Is almost on his knees celebrating the occasion. Also, reaches 100 wickets in T20s. Once more the off-speed delivery on back of a length, Bhuvneshwar stayed leg-side and tried to flat-bat it, spliced it towards extra cover and Tiwary made no mistake. He’s been terrifich with his slower balls. Bhuvneshwar c Manoj Tiwary b Unadkat 0(1).
Unadkat to Rashid Khan, out Caught&Bowled!! Fourth wicket for Unadkat. He’s on a hat-trick. Another batsman falls prey to the slower delivery. The key with the off-pace delivery is that you have to hit the right length and Unadkat has managed to do that, Rashid went for the loft and only managed to cue-end beside the pitch. Unadkat runs across and reverse cups it. Rashid Khan c and b Unadkat 3(4).
Unadkat to Bipul Sharma, out Caught by Stokes!! Dot followed by a wicket. Stokes with another catch. He’s been everywhere today. The slower delivery and Bipul picked it early this time around, went with the angle towards deep square leg. Made a decent connection as well but the big side boundaries don’t fetch him a six. Stokes steadies himself near deep square leg and pouches it with ease. Unadkat has a smile on his face. Bipul Sharma c Stokes b Unadkat 8(7).
Unadkat will bowl the last over here. Hyderabad need 13 off the last over.
Nine off the over, including a wide. Give or take, this is a good over by Stokes. Finishes with figures of 3-30. May have turned the match here.
10 runs off the over. Stokes will bowl his last over.
Unadkat to Naman Ojha, out Caught by Stokes!! You just can’t keep Stokes out of the action. Second wicket in the over for Unadkat and he might have just won RPS the game. Another one of his cutters outside off, Ojha went for the loft over long-off, since the ball gripped the surface it took the outer half of the bat and skied towards sweeper cover. Stokes made no mistake. Bit of silence around the ground now. Naman Ojha c Stokes b Unadkat 9(9). Rashid Khan is the new bat.
Unadkat to Naman Ojha, SIX, Ojha can strike the ball. So, SRH fans, hang in there. Unadkat switches to round the wicket and dishes out a slower delivery on a length, Ojha swings as hard as possible and sends it over long-on. Got plenty of height and for a second might have thought he was in trouble, but Christian was reduced to a spectator.
Bipul Sharma, left handed bat, comes to the crease.
Unadkat to Yuvraj, out Caught by Tripathi!! Pumps his fist in excitement. The off-cutter on a shortish length. They have been bowling that all evening. Yuvraj goes for the cut and like Warner does not have the power to get it over the man sweeping. Tripathi runs to his right and takes a well-judged catch. Yuvraj has some advice for the incoming Bipul Sharma. Yuvraj c Tripathi b Unadkat 47(43). Great knock but he may have fallen at a very bad time.
Jaydev Unadkat [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack.
Nine off the over, Hyderabad have worked themselves into a spot here from a pretty good position.
Christian to Yuvraj, SIX, much needed hit for SRH. Short delivery and not much pace to trouble Yuvraj, was bowled at 120kph and sat up nicely, Yuvraj pulls it off the front foot into the deep square leg stand.
Daniel Christian is into the attack.
Seven off the over, 41 needed off 4 balls.
Tahir to Yuvraj, FOUR, that is cricket. A chance off the last ball followed by a boundary. Flighted delivery on a fullish length, righth in the arc for Yuvraj, who heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence. Placed it expertly.
Five overs and 48 runs required. Imran Tahir to bowl the 16th.
Five runs off the over, the game is headed for a cliff hanger.
Daniel Christian [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack.
Tahir to Henriques, out Bowled!! Tahir is off. Game on! The wrong ‘un from Tahir, Henriques certainly did not pick it as he went back to play the cut shot, the ball spun back in and got the under edge, deflected onto the stumps. Tahir is off on his sprint. Almost ends up near deep square leg. Two wickets in succession and the game is back in balance. Henriques b Tahir 4(6). Naman Ojha, right handed bat, comes in to bat.
Stokes to Yuvraj, SIX, class! Everything right about this shot. Just a pleasing sight to see Yuvraj smack a six straight back over the bowler. Fuller and on the stumps, the full face of the bat comes to the fore and then the extension of the arms to send it sailing over the rope. 11 off the over, Yuvraj is powering through. Imran Tahir [2.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack.
Stokes to Warner, out Caught by SN Thakur!! And that’s why he was brought back. Huge moment in the game. Third wicket for RPS and all three have been from Stokes. He was aiming to go over point and got it a lot squarer than he would have liked. Warner c SN Thakur b Stokes 40(34). Moises Henriques is the new batsman.
Seven runs off the over, Ben Stokes comes in for his third over.
Christian to Warner, FOUR, calculated risk from Warner. First ball from a new bowler, mid-off inside the ring and Warner was walking down the pitch, extends his arms and lifts it over the fielder, couple of bounces and into the fence.
Two runs off the over, Daniel Christian, right arm medium comes into the attack.
Five runs, including a wide, SN Thakur into the attack.
10 runs off the over, Tahir is in again.
SN Thakur to Yuvraj, FOUR, creamed, width on offer from Shardul, Yuvraj leans into the shot and drives it to the left of extra-cover. It was in the air but was perfectly placed as well, no chance for the fielder at mid-off.
SN Thakur to Yuvraj, FOUR, edged and four, more luck for Yuvraj, full and wide of off from Shardul. Yuvraj saw the width and threw his hands at that, gets a thick edge that flies past Dhoni and into the fence.
SN Thakur into the attack.
SRH : 59/2, 8.0 overs; Warner Steadies Hyderabad
Ten runs off the over, Shardul Thakur comes into the attack.
Tahir to Warner, SIX, cracking shot, this was the leg-break, but the line was too full, allowed Warner to get underneath the ball and lift it back over his head, went all the way for the first maximum of the chase, for Warner.
Two runs off the over. He is virtually unplayable here. Tahir is in.
14 runs off the over, Stokes into the attack again.
Washington Sundar to Warner, FOUR, cracking shot, this is good batting from Warner, he’s beginning to read Sundar now, tossed up on the stumps, he gets well forward and lifts it back over the bowler’s head, one bounce and over the ropes.
Washington Sundar to Warner, FOUR, lovely, Warner is getting into the act now, slower and just outside off, he gets forward, opens the face of the bat at the last moment and finds the gap past extra-cover, beats mid-off and rolls away to the fence.
Washington Sundar to Warner, FOUR, that’s a good comeback from Warner, tossed up on the stumps, he gets down low and sweeps it over square leg, no need to run for those.
Washington Sundar into the attack.
SRH : 33/2, 5.0 overs; Ben Stokes Strikes Twice
Stokes to Yuvraj, FOUR, a gift and Yuvraj gleefully accepts! Short and wide from Stokes, Yuvraj climbs into the cut
Stokes to Williamson, out Caught by Dhoni!! Stokes is pulling his team back into the contest once again. He did with the bat earlier, he now has two in an over. This is a huge wicket, KW was the man who could have anchored the chase on this pitch, he’s been done in by some extra bounce. Was late in getting forward on the drive, the ball seamed just anough to catch the shoulder of the bat – a bit of glove as well and MS doesn’t drop those. Williamson c Dhoni b Stokes 4(2). Yuvraj Singh, left handed bat, on the crease.
Stokes to Williamson, FOUR, edged and four, a juicy full-toss from Stokes, might have slipped out of his hands. Williamson was startled as he pushed at that, gets a thick edge that rolls away past the keeper and into the fence.
Stokes to Dhawan, out Bowled!! He came from round the wicket and angled one back into the left-hander, Dhawan was lazy in getting forward, his bat came down way too late – but by that time the ball had gone past him and pegged the off-stump back. Stokes exults in delight, Dhawan was looking in good touch, but it’s only a cameo from him today. Dhawan b Stokes 19(12). Kane Williamson, right handed bat, on the crease.
Two runs, just singles off the over again. Sundar is bowling well here. Ben Stokes, right arm medium, into the attack.
Nine runs off the over, Sundar is back into the attack.
Unadkat to Dhawan, SIX, Dhawan is looking in good touch, length delivery outside off, he was quick to shuffle across, gets into a good position and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence. He is on song here.
Three runs, all singles off the over. Unadkat into the attack again.
Washington Sundar, right-arm off break, comes into the attack.
Unadkat to Dhawan, FOUR, Dhawan has come out aggressively. Unadkat shortened the length as he spotted Dhawan running down the track, makes room and slaps it over cover. Rahane has no chance in the deep. 11 runs off the over, great first over for Hyderabad.
Unadkat to Dhawan, FOUR, lovely shot, poor ball from Unadkat, short and wide of off, Dhawan reached out and cracks it in front of square on the off-side. Rahane moved across to his left, put in the dive, but the ball was always wide of him.
Warner and Dhawan are at the crease. Warner is on strike. Unadkat will open the attack.
RPS : 148/8, 20.0 overs; Dhoni Gives Late Push
Six runs off the over, this is an excellent last bowler by Kaul.
Jaydev Unadkat, right handed bat, comes to the crease.
S Kaul to SN Thakur, out Caught by Warner!! Safe as houses. If Davy Warner is in the vicinity, you can tuck your arms and walk off. You will rarely see him put a catch down. Two in two for Kaul and he is on a hat-trick. Looked like the slower ball, hurled it wide of off, Thakur meekly chipped it down the ground. Finds long-off and the SRH skipper calmly gobbles it up. SN Thakur c Warner b S Kaul 0. On a hattrick here, Thakur.
S Kaul to Dhoni, out Caught by Naman Ojha!! End of Dhoni blitz. But he has done the damage. Very full ball on the stumps, Dhoni swung hard at that, fails to find the sweet spot. Some curl in the air must’ve done him. Edges it behind and Ojha makes no mistake. Dhoni c Naman Ojha b S Kaul 31(21). Shardul Thakur is the next man on the crease.
S Kaul to Dhoni, FOUR, such a calculative shot from Dhoni. Kaul angled this slower ball outside off, Dhoni throws his bat to his fullest and gets it over point. Not off the middle but he won’t mind.
S Kaul is the new bowler.
Bhuvneshwar to Manoj Tiwary, out Manoj Tiwary Run Out!! 1 run completed. Horrible mix-up and Tiwary has to depart. A total communication breakdown between Tiwary and Dhoni. A fuller length delivery on the stumps, Tiwary pushes it towards long-off and set off for the second. Dhoni showed signs of interest but on seeing the fielder rush onto the ball, he sent back Tiwary and sold him down the river. The Bengal batsman had no chance of returning back once he took off.
Manoj Tiwary run out (Warner/Bhuvneshwar) 9(5). Washington Sundar is the new batsman.
Bhuvneshwar to Dhoni, SIX, you miss the length, you will get punished. The idea was good from Kumar, but the execution was horrible. Fullish outside off, Dhoni throws his weight across and bullies it over extra cover. A flat six.
Bhuvneshwar to Dhoni, SIX, Dhoni has found his elements. A short ball without any purpose, sits up nicely for Dhoni. He rocks back and muscles the pull over deep mid-wicket. The crowd aren’t willing to return the ball. So, the fourth umpire has arrived with a set of replacements
Bhuvneshwar to Dhoni, FOUR, bad idea Kumar. Arrows it on leg-stump line, Dhoni swivels 360 and hacks it over square leg
Bhuvi is back into the attack.
RPS : 142/6, 18.0 overs; Dhoni gives late push
19 runs and a wicket off the over.
Bhuvneshwar to Manoj Tiwary, out Manoj Tiwary Run Out!! 1 run completed. Horrible mix-up and Tiwary has to depart. Manoj Tiwary run out (Warner/Bhuvneshwar) 9(5)
Bhuvneshwar to Dhoni, SIX, you miss the length, you will get punished. The idea was good from Kumar, but Dhoni had other ideas.
Bhuvneshwar to Dhoni, SIX, Dhoni has found his elements. A short ball without any purpose, sits up nicely for Dhoni. He rocks back and muscles the pull over deep mid-wicket. The crowd aren’t willing to return the ball. So, the fourth umpire has arrived with a set of replacements. Pune are looking to the former Indian captain for a final push.
Bhuvneshwar to Dhoni, FOUR, bad idea Kumar. Arrows it on leg-stump line, Dhoni swivels 360 and hacks it over square leg.
Bhuvneshwar to Manoj Tiwary, FOUR, a boundary to cap off the over. A short of length delivery outside off, Tiwary reaches out and places it behind point. No chance for the third man fielder. 11 runs off this over. Rashid Khan is the next bowler.
Manoj Tiwary, right handed bat, comes to the crease.
S Kaul to Christian, out Caught by Rashid Khan!! Two wickets in three balls for SRH. What a turnaround. One shot too many for Christian. It was swerving in on off, Christian wanted to go over long-on but messes up his timing. Skews it off the splice and sends it high towards long-on. Rashid Khan runs in and pouches it safely. Too easy for him. Christian c Rashid Khan b S Kaul 4(2).
S Kaul to Christian, FOUR, Christian is off the mark with a boundary. This is only the second boundary of the innings. A juicy half volley outside off, Christian leans forward and creams it through extra cover.
S Kaul to Smith, out Caught by Bipul Sharma!! A very full ball outside off, Smith tried to be smart, opened the bat face and looked to flay it in the pocket between point and short third man. But fails in his endeavour. Picks out Bipul, who settles under it and roars in delight. Smith c Bipul Sharma b S Kaul 34(39). Daniel Christian is the new batsman.
Two runs and a wicket off the over. S Kaul is the next bowler.
Rashid Khan to Stokes, out Bowled!! Got him. Rashid takes matter on his own hands and castles Stokes. Flatter ball, extracted just a bit of turn back in, Stokes sanked down for a blindfold slog, misses and sees his stumps rattled. Much needed breakthrough for SRH. Stokes b Rashid Khan 39(25). The spinner has done it again! Very important wicket falls.
12 off the over, Rashid Khan is back into the attack.
S Kaul to Stokes, FOUR, sees the short of length delivery early, changes his grip and swats it over point. Outrageous!
Kaul to bowl the next over.
Seventeen off the over, much needed breather for Pune.
Bipul Sharma to Stokes, SIX, two in two! Left-arm spin against Stokes? Not a good idea. He takes a step forward this time, wasn’t quite to the pitch but he extends his long levers to butcher it into the deep mid-wicket stands.
Bipul Sharma to Stokes, SIX, Stokes has seen enough. Decides to up the ante and succeeds. Lowers his stance to reach the ball, unleashes his strong muscles and thumps it over deep mid-wicket. The all rounder is looking for a parting gift for Pune.
Bipul Sharma is back into the attack.
RPS : 51-2, 10.0 overs; Runs Dry Up For Pune
Three runs off the over, great bowling by the Hyderabad side.
Five off the over. Henriques back into the attack.
Henruiques completes the over, just three off it. Bipul Sharma into the attack.
Nehra runs in, slows down and pulls out. The walk back to the start of his mark is really painful. Stretching his left hamstring as a super worried Warner walks over to check. He is walking off the field. They’re pretty short on bowling options. Henriques to complete.
Ashish Nehra [1.0-0-3-0] is back into the attack.
Five off the over, all in singles. Pune still don’t have a boundary. It is extremely tight for Smith and the boys. Kaul is back into the attack.
Seven runs off his first over, this is very good start by the Hyderabad side. Rashid Khan, right arm leg break, is the new bowler into the attack.
Siddhart Kaul is the next bowler.
RPS – 12/1, 3.0 overs; RPS are off to a slow start
Six runs, all singles off the over. Pune looking for the elusive boundary here.
The man in form is gone for an unfortunate run out. Three runs and a wicket of the over. Bhuvneshwar back into the attack.
Nehra to Tripathi, out Tripathi Run Out!! A nothing line this from Nehra, down leg and Tripathi helps it out to short fine courtesy his clip. Just that he wants the single desperately after that – something Rahane declines making him return from his adventures half way down the track. A direct hit and you do not need to disturb the third umpire for these. Had given up. Oh what a waste of form. Tripathi run out (Bipul Sharma) 1(4). Steven Smith on the crease.
Excellent first over by Bhuvi, just three runs off it. Ashish Nehra, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Rahane and Tripathi are at the crease. Rahane is on strike. Bhuvneshwar will open the attack.
Teams:
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): David Warner(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Yuvraj Singh, Moises Henriques, Naman Ojha(w), Rashid Khan, Bipul Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Ashish Nehra
Rising Pune Supergiant (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith(c), Manoj Tiwary, MS Dhoni(w), Ben Stokes, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir
Smith: No changes for us. Going in with the same side. I think we are in the top four at the moment and have had a good run in the last six-seven games. We’re going pretty well.
Warner: We are going to bowl first. We aren’t sure about the weather, we aren’t pretty sure about the wicket either. It always makes more sense to chase in a day game. Bipul Sharma in for Hooda and Nehra comes back in for Siraj. We have a job to do, need to win day in and day out and are hoping that everyone does their job assigned.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have won the toss and have opted to field
