IPL 2018: Match 39, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Five Game-Changing Moments

Sunrisers Hyderabad continues with their habit of defending targets on the back of the best bowling attack in the tournament.

The host handed Royal Challengers Bangalore a five-run defeat, keeping the record at their fortress intact. Unfortunately, despite good enough bowling, Virat Kohli-led side had to concede another defeat.

Bangalore now make it difficult for themselves to progress to the Playoffs.

Let us look at the game-changing moments.

Kane Williamson’s captain knock

With three early wickets, Sunrisers Hyderabad was tottering with captain Kane Williamson and Shakib al Hasan. Mr Consistent for SRH, Williamson, registered his fifth half-century in the tournament.

The Kiwi scored a brisk 59 off 39 deliveries, on a pitch difficult pitch for strokeplay. Williamson entertained the crowd with his five boundaries and a couple of maximums.

Siraj-Southee partnership

The bowling lineup of Royal Challengers Bangalore gained a reputation of being mercurial in the tournament. However, in the last few games, the bowlers have displayed massive improvement in the death bowling department.

Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers, as he picked up three wickets, conceding only 25 in his quota of four overs. Tim Southee, from the other end, also claimed three wickets, giving away 20 in his four-over spell.

The two RCB pacers caused havoc in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s camp, as they helped them restrict to a score of 147.

SRH dropping catches

Hosts, SRH, kept on dropping important catches up front to give much-needed life to the RCB batsmen. First up, it was Siddharth Kaul who dropped a sitter at fine-leg off Rashid’s Khan bowling.

Within a span of few deliveries, the big fish, captain Virat Kohli got dropped by his counterpart, Kane Williamson. The Kiwi missed the ball altogether, placed at slips to frustrate Rashid Khan further.

Virat’s counter-attacking knock

When RCB’s captain was at the crease, the red and blacks looked all set to chase down the 148 due to the aggressive knock played by Virat Kohli.

VK scored a 30-ball 39, which consisted of five boundaries and one maximum, treating the spectators at Hyderabad, there to see him. The pitch looked entirely different when Virat was there at the crease for RCB.

Sunriser’s defence/ RCB collapse

The best bowling attack in the tournament showed exactly why they gathered the reputation during the tournament. The likes of Sandeep Sharma and Siddharth Kaul bowled economical overs, and also chipped in with wickets to choke RCB.

Meanwhile, the spinners Shakib al Hasan and Rashid Khan gave no respite to RCB on a difficult track to bat. The two shared three wickets among themselves.

On the contrary, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s dependence on Virat Kohli got exposed with the entire batting order failing to take their side across the finishing line.