Five-hour marathon results in Sunrisers victory

A rain-affected Indian Premier League fixture, which took almost five hours to complete, resulted in an important eight-wicket triumph for the Sunrisers Hyderabad over the Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday.

A rain-affected Indian Premier League fixture, which took almost five hours to complete, resulted in an important eight-wicket triumph for the Sunrisers Hyderabad over the Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday.

Several delays due to inclement weather punctuated an otherwise entertaining match, highlighted by England exile Kevin Pietersen's cavalier 35 and Australian recruit David Warner's cool, calm and collection through the closing throes.

The hard-hitting Pietersen's cameo propelled the Daredevils to a decent total of 143 for seven, after which Hyderabad's target was reduced to 117 from 15 overs – and finally 43 from five.

Warner, despite the early departure of countryman Aaron Finch, struck a four and a six off seamer Rahul Shukla's final over to all but seal the deal. The talented Naman Ojha was, then, soon at hand to complete the job with six more – high and hard over the midwicket fence.

The outcome, which included leg-spinner Amit Mishra's 100th IPL wicket, pushed the Hyderabad franchise to fourth position in the eight-team standings. The Daredevils, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table in the wake of a mere two victories in nine attempts.