Royals scrape past Sunrisers in Abu Dhabi

The Sunrisers Hyderabad's much-admired top order failed to do the job in their opening IPL match on Friday, and they left their bowlers with too little to defend as the Rajasthan Royals won by four wickets.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad's much-admired top order failed to do the job in their opening IPL match on Friday, and they left their bowlers with too little to defend as the Rajasthan Royals won by four wickets.
Still, it was not as easy as the Royals would have liked, chasing down the 134 to win in the final over of the game thanks to a half ton from Ajinkya Rahane and a 48 not our from Stuart Binny. They were the only Rajasthan batsmen to reach double figures.
The rOyals won the toss and chose to put the Sunrisers in to bat, taking the risk that Aaron Finch, Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner would not fire. They were correct in terms of Finch, who was removed in the first over by Dhawal Kulkarni, for two.
This left Dhawan and Warner to steady the knock, and they put on 75 runs over the next 10 overs, but only managed to hit one six between them. They were hampered by some good, controlled bowling from the Royals.
In the end, none of the Hyderabad men could score at a strike rate better than 133, with Kulkarni, Kane Richardson (who also took three catches) and Rajat Bhatia taking two wickets each. Dhawan had top-scored with 38.
The Royals would have been confident of an easy chase, but they were quickly disabused of that notion as Dale Steyn bagged Abishek Nayar in the first over, trapping him LBW. Sanju Samson and Shane Watson soon followed, both having made three.
This left Rahane and Binny to join forces and rescue the chase, and they dragged the score past 100 in the 15ht over, before Rahane was out for 59 to Amit Mishra. Binny then watched as Brad Hodge and Bhatia fell too.
Steyn bowled the penultimate over and went for nine runs, and taking Bhatia's wicket. Thus, the Royals needed eight runs off the last, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar was unable to replicate Steyn's WT20 heroics, as James Faulkner struck two quick fours to end the game.
Latest
-
News
James Anderson replaces Stuart Broad as England shuffle seam attack in Sri Lanka
The most prolific seamer in history will swap places with Broad for the second Test.
-
News
Joe Root backs Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley to adjust to Asian conditions
Sibley and Crawley contributed four single-figure scores in the opening Test for a total of 25 runs.
-
News
England fast bowler Olly Stone ready to resume Test ambitions in Sri Lanka
The Warwickshire quick is ready to prove himself again after 18 hard months since his debut.
-
News
Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka batsmen ‘can learn a lot’ from Joe Root
Mathews hailed Root’s ‘magnificent innings’ in the first Test.
-
News
Dawid Malan happy to stay put after Trent Rockets’ show of faith
The England batsman has earned an improved deal in The Hundred.
-
News
England coach Chris Silverwood grateful for gift of the Gabba
India’s famous win over Australia grabbed the England squad’s attention in Galle.
-
News
A look at unbeaten sporting runs following end of Australia’s Gabba dominance
Australia had not been beaten at the Gabba since 1988.
-
News
Justin Langer: Rishabh Pant’s innings reminded me of Ben Stokes at Headingley
India’s Shubman Gill and Pant inspired a record-breaking victory over Australia at the Gabba.
-
News
Tim Paine: India deserves winners, outplayed Australia
Australia captain Tim Paine has conceded that his side were outplayed in key moments of the series and that India were deserved winners.
-
News
Rishabh Pant reflects on ‘dream series’ after India stun Australia at the Gabba
India’s Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant inspired a record-breaking victory at the Gabba.