Sunrisers Hyderabad would wonder why they couldn’t put up a batting performance as strong as Tuesday’s in any of their five previous matches, all of which they lost.
With skipper Kane Williamson dropping down the order owing to his off form, the revamped Sunrisers batting line-up could express itself much better as they could post a formidable total of 193 for 6 versus Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede in Mumbai.
The target turned out to be a little too much for the bottom-ranked Mumbai as in spite of Tim David (46 off 18 balls)’s late onslaught, the Sunrisers still managed to pull off a three-run win, limiting Mumbai to 190 for 7. Having broken their losing streak, the Sunrisers kept their playoff chances alive but only mathematically.
Like Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, the Sunrisers also have 12 points at present but are down at No.8 because of an inferior net run rate.
Besides, yorker-specialist T. Natarajan serving full tosses on a platter to David in the 18th over of Mumbai’s run chase, which yielded them 26, threatened to end the Sunrisers’ campaign. This was after Umran Malik (3/23) used his pace and bowled at the right direction to account for Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Daniel Sams, turning the equation in favour of the Sunrisers following Rohit Sharma and Ishan’s 95-run opening stand in less than 11 overs.
Fortunately for the horribly misfiring Natarajan, he could run David out off the last ball of that 18th over, much to the Sunrisers’ relief.
Thereafter, the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a few excellent outside off-stump yorkers in what was a wicket-maiden over, which tilted the scales completely in favour of the Sunrisers. With 19 needed off the final over, Afghan quick Fazalhaq Farooqi ensured he didn’t commit any blunders like Natarajan.
Tripathi’s knock
The credit for the Sunrisers crossing 190 after being put in to bat certainly goes to Rahul Tripathi (76 off 44 balls), who has been one of their most consistent batsman along with Nicholas Pooran (38 off 22 balls). Tripathi produced another well compiled knock at No.3 after opener Abhishek Sharma was again dismissed early.
His 78-run stand with young Priyam Garg (42 off 26 balls) who, in his maiden game this season, displaced skipper Williamson, and his 76-run partnership with Pooran were key to the outcome of the game.
