Whirlwind knocks from David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha and a spin-bowling masterclass helped SunRisers Hyderabad [SRH] to maul a listless Delhi Capitals [DC] by 88 runs in Dubai on Tuesday.
Chasing 219, Delhi Capitals needed their in-form opener, Shikhar Dhawan to come up with another substantial score. But their hopes were extinguished in the very first over after the southpaw mistimed an inside-out drive off Sandeep Sharma straight to David Warner.
In order to maximize the powerplay, DC promoted Marcus Stoinis ahead of Shreyas Iyer, and the Australian announced his arrival with a brilliant flick over mid-wicket for a boundary.
But it proved to be his last productive stroke as he holed out to David Warner at mid-off while trying to loft Shahbaz Nadeem.
The batting order rejigs continued for DC as they slotted Shimron Hetmyer ahead of Iyer. And, Hetmyer and Rahane ensured that his side made some positive strides in the powerplay by smashing six fours and a six t to take the total to 2-54 after six.
But Hetmyer couldn’t capitalize on his start and was castled by Rashid Khan, who went on to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane in the very same over, leaving DC reeling at 4-56.
Just 19 runs came in the next four overs as Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant struggled to force the issue against Rashid Khan and Vijay Shankar.
The asking run-rate kept on mounting and the need to get on with it eventually led to the downfall of Shreyas Iyer (7 off 12 balls) after he mistimed the cut shot straight to Kane Williamson, leaving DC further stranded at 5-78. Axar Patel tried to launch Rashid Khan [3-7 in four overs] in the stands but the champion spinner was just too good today. Patel tried to hoike him over mid-wicket but could only manage it as far as Kane Williamson, who claimed an easy catch to leave DC down in the dumps at 6-83 after 13 overs.
T Natarajan cleaned up Kagiso Rabada with a brute of a yorker and with DC requiring needing an impossible 117 runs off 24 balls, the only interest in the game as far as DC’s fan is concerned was whether Rishabh Pant would be able to bridge the gap of defeat, which he couldn’t as he was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma for 35.
Tushar Deshpande [20 off 9 balls[ stroked some lusty blows in the end against Sandeep Sharma and T Natarajan before the latter finally closed off the proceedings by dismissing Nortje to help SRH notch up an 88-run-win.
Wriddhiman Saha and David Warner’s belligerence propelled SRH to 219/2
SunRisers Hyderabad made a huge call by dropping Jonny Bairstow for the crucial encounter against Delhi Capitals. But Wriddhiman Saha, who opened the innings with David Warner, made sure that SRH did not miss Jonny Bairstow one bit. Saha showed clear intent right from the outset as he stroked four boundaries in his first 10 balls.
David Warner has been circumspect in his approach in this IPL but that wasn’t the case on Tuesday. On his birthday, Warner chose to unlock his beast mode as he smoked the DC bowlers to all corners of the ground in the first powerplay.
Warner and Saha attacked DC’s fast bowling duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in the first six overs. The 50-run partnership came in the 5th over and Warner decided to celebrate that by taking Rabada to the cleaners in the last over of the powerplay.
The SRH skipper smoked Rabada for four boundaries and a six to not only bring up his half-century in a mere 25 balls but also ensure that the Orange Army posted a record 77 runs in the first six.
Meanwhile, Saha continued to chip away with some exquisite boundaries against Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. The duo completed the 100-run-stand in the 9th overs bowled by Tushar Deshpande.
With Warner on such a rampage, DC needed something special to get rid of him. And, that is exactly what happened thanks to Ashwin. After Warne had smashed Ashwin over the covers for a boundary, the off-spinner lulled the southpaw into the same stroke. But the problem was, Ashwin had slowed down the pace of the ball, which led to Warner mistiming to Axar Patel at the extra-cover region.
Saha, however, continued with the onslaught. The wicketkeeper-batsman brought up his half-century with a cheeky pull behind square in just 27 balls and then proceeded to celebrate it with a delicious cut for another boundary. And, if that wasn’t enough, he slog-swept Axar Patel for a six before cutting him for a four in the next over to further rub salt in Delhi’s wounds.
Even Rabada wasn’t spared as Saha launched him for a six towards mid-wicket in the next over to bring up SRH’s hundred and take his tally to 78 off 40 balls. Saha was not only exquisite in his strokeplay, but he was also pretty cheeky, something he displayed to the hilt with a dab towards third-man off Marcus Stoinis, one that took him in the 80s. The onslaught finally ended when Saha-for once- mistimed a lofted drive against Anrich Nortje, only to give Iyer catching practice at mid-off.
After Saha’s dismissal, Manish Pandey ensured that he continued with the momentum as he smashed Tushar Deshpande for two fours and a six in the 17th over to take the total close to the 200-run-mark. The last three over went for 23 runs as SRH ended up posting the highest total in Dubai in this edition- 2-219.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to SunRisers Hyderabad’s win over DC:
Three consecutive losses and quite big ones at that. #DelhiCapitals have started imploding and how. Too good a team to not manage a turnaround…..but for that to happen, Iyer-Pant-Rahane/Shaw will have to contribute big. #IPL2020
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 27, 2020
That loss against #KXIP while chasing 126 is hurting #SRH more than any other loss thus far. Injuries haven’t helped either. With the top teams on a losing spree, 14 points might just be the magical number for a team or two.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 27, 2020
Unbelievable spell from #RashidKhan 4 overs 3 wickets 7 runs. #Championbowler @SunRisers @IPL #SRHvDC
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 27, 2020
Rashid Khan vs DC this IPL: #SRHvDC #IPL2020
4-0-13-3 (1st leg)
4-0-7-3 (today)Combined: 8-0-20-6 pic.twitter.com/pPyh5Vt2Hk
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 27, 2020
Very smart batting by @Wriddhipops!
Improvised his shots after picking the line and length of the ball. There was no slogging at all. Played a fantastic innings which I thoroughly enjoyed watching.#SRHvDC #IPL2020
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 27, 2020
Love it @Wriddhipops when someone demolishes stereotypes!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 27, 2020
Most economical 4-over spell in IPL #SRHvDC #IPL2020
1/6 A Nehra v KXIP Bloemfontein 2009
0/6 F Edwards v KKR Cape Town 2009
1/6 Y Chahal v CSK Chennai 2019
2/7 Rahul Sharma v MI Mumbai DYP 2011
2/7 L Ferguson v RCB Pune 2017
3/7 Rashid Khan v DC Dubai 2020 *— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 27, 2020
What a spell Lala @rashidkhan_19 champion bowler ??? 3 for 7 Congratulations @IPL @SunRisers vs @DelhiCapitals
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 27, 2020
I thought it was a great opportunity for Shreyas Iyer to walk on at number three and show he can play the big innings in this situation…….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 27, 2020
Rishabh Pant v Rashid Khan in T20s
7 innings
59 runs
52 balls
2 dismissals
6.8 rpo#IPL2020 #SRHvDC #SRH #DelhiCapitals— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 27, 2020
How good is the pitch! #DelhiCapitals never looked were on top gear but after the power play the score is 54/2. Exciting times ahead? #ProGyaan #IPL2020 #SRHvsDC
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) October 27, 2020
Ricky Ponting hasn’t blinked since the start of this match. #IPL2020 #SRHvDC
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) October 27, 2020
Game changer #Rashid Khan. Two wickets in one over. It’s becoming tougher and tougher for #DelhiCapital @IPL @SunRisers #SRHvDC
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 27, 2020
Rashid Khan into the attack
.
.
.
.6.1 >> Cleans up Shimron Hetmyer? .
6.5 >> Traps Ajinkya Rahane LBW ?
Delhi in deep trouble at 55/4 (7) https://t.co/TprYXet3Uj #SRHvDC #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/iJzbbnrQuy
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 27, 2020
No matter who hits the ball, Warner is there to catch it. 14/2 chasing 220. And Rashid Khan hasn’t bowled a ball yet. #DelhiCapitals is looking for a miracle. First Stoinis and now, Hetmeyer promoted. Indian batsmen kept to handle the Khan threat in the middle overs. #IPL2020
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 27, 2020
OUT! Stoin finds David Warner at mid-off as well.
DC 14/2 | 2 Overs#SRHvDC #Dream11IPL #YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/ussfTT2gPO
— Delhi Capitals (Tweeting from ??) (@DelhiCapitals) October 27, 2020
It’s that time of the season when one asks, if Delhi is going to qualify for the playoffs?#IPL2020 #DCvSRH
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) October 27, 2020
Yahi hai right choice baby, Saha !
Amazing hitting. Enjoyed @Wriddhipops brilliant knock.#SRHvsDC
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 27, 2020
wriddhimaan Saha right now #saha #SRHvsDC pic.twitter.com/PSE4HSGFjo
— IG : A’ ?? (@akul07) October 27, 2020
Rabada wicketless after 25 matches. The last time it happened was in 2017 incidentally against SRH only. What a run for him but what a performance from @SunRisers today. The beauty of this @IPL remains anyone can beat anyone on their day.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) October 27, 2020
Kagiso Rabada…
on 2 May 2017 – DC v SRH (Delhi) – 4-0-59-0
Since then has taken at least one wicket in his next 25 games: 98-1-763-51 (ave 14.96, S/r 11.61, Eco 7.73)
Tonight
on 27 Oct 2020 – DC v SRH (Dubai) – 4-0-54-0#IPL2020#IPLinUAE#IPL #SRHvsDC #SRHvDC #DCvSRH— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) October 27, 2020
Kagiso Rabada’s streak of 25 consecutive IPL matches with at least one wicket comes to and end.
The last he went wicketless was against SRH in 2017. #IPL2020 #DCvSRH
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) October 27, 2020
Brilliant from SRH – lost only two wickets to stall a collapse that comes after their third wicket.#DCvSRH #IPL2020
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 27, 2020
When you are a NO.1 wk/batsman in one format for India, playing IPL since 2008, 122 game, avg around 25 and strike rate of 132 and yet find yourself out of playing XI often,
this is how you express your frustration! #saha #SRHvDC What an innings @Wriddhipops .— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) October 27, 2020
Rabada has registered 0-47 so far – the most he has conceded in the first three overs in his T20 career.
The most runs he has conceded in a T20 is 0-59 v #SRH in May 2017. It’s incidentally also the last time he went wicketless in the IPL, 27 matches back.#IPL2020 #SRHvDC #DC
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 27, 2020
@Wriddhipops you beauty . Keep at it my friend #SRHvsDC
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) October 27, 2020
What. A. Knock. #Saha ??♂️ #IPL2020
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 27, 2020
SAHA DEPARTS ?
Me right now ⬇️#SRHvDC #Dream11IPL #YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/eSAd8m2xzB
— Delhi Capitals (Tweeting from ??) (@DelhiCapitals) October 27, 2020
Heartening to see @Wriddhipops play a blinder! Phenomenal knock to put @SunRisers on top! Looks like @DelhiCapitals will be chasing a stiff target. #IPL #SRHvDC
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) October 27, 2020
For someone, who really didn’t know when or if he’ll play, you’ve got to laud Wridhiman Saha’s mental fortitude. With all that uncertainty around, it’s not easy to focus, let alone perform like this. Respect.#Saha #SRHvsDC
— Yash Mittal ?? (@im_yash2307) October 27, 2020
A terrific half-century by Wriddhiman Saha off just 27 balls. This will hopefully silence some of those who haven’t followed his career much and base their opinions on a few knocks.
So happy for @Wriddhipops, deserves every bit of it! #IPL2020 #SRHvDC
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 27, 2020
Saha to fans: pic.twitter.com/WRgkoQ3J8v
— hyderabadi (@desiInCali) October 27, 2020
Brilliant start for Sunrisers Hyderabad reaching 100/0 in 8.4 overs. Across their IPL history they’re reached the 100-run landmark quicker only once – 8 overs v RCB in May 2015 ( reduced game with 11 overs )#IPL2020 #SRHvDC #SRH
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 27, 2020
David Warner’s 66 is the highest score by a player on his birthday in #IPL
(Prev: 54, Michael Hussey, CSK v KKR, Chennai, 2012).#SRHvsDC #DCvSRH #IPL2020— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) October 27, 2020
David Warner is the 2nd player after Michael Hussey to score a 50 plus score on his birthday in #IPL.
Hussey scored 54 on his 37th birthday.
Warner – 66 off just 34 on his 34th birthday?Live Match Report ➡️ https://t.co/YSyt3d9AGV#IPL2020 #SRHvsDC pic.twitter.com/GuiDnB5VLV
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) October 27, 2020
We’ve missed THIS David Warner in all of #IPL2020! Birthday wishes @davidwarner31! ?#SRHvsDC
— Kritika Naidu (@Kritzika) October 27, 2020
Highest Strike Rate in first 6 overs in IPL (Min. 400 balls):
155.11 – Buttler
145.62 – Lynn
144.16 – Sehwag
137.95 – Warner
137.50 – SAHA#IPL2020 #SRHvsDC— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) October 27, 2020
Batsmen completing 50 in the Powerplay most times:
6 D WARNER*
3 Gayle
2 Narine
2 KL Rahul#DavidWarner #SRH— Ayush Bharadi (@AyushB45) October 27, 2020
What an innings from the birthday boy!! Wow mate happy bday. @davidwarner31 this is the most aggressive start all @IPL against the top bowling attack.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) October 27, 2020
Must win game for SRH, must lose game for DC.#SRHvDC #IPL2020
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 27, 2020
Easy to forget just how good Warner is at IPL!
He has most runs by an overseas player with only Rohit, Raina and Kohli in front of them – and they have all played 50+ more matches. He also has a better average and SR than all three of those players. Unreal numbers.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) October 27, 2020
Highest Powerplay score in #IPL2020
77/0 #SRH v DC Dubai *
69/1 RR v KXIP Sharjah
63/0 DC v RCB Dubai
60/0 KXIP v RR Sharjah
60/0 CSK v KXIP Dubai#SRHvsDC— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) October 27, 2020
Saha is playing IPL while Parthiv Patel is warming bench for false cricketer
— . (@karthik_jammy) October 27, 2020
Saha is the Narine move SRH didn’t back like KKR.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 27, 2020
Wriddhiman Saha – Strike Rate in the IPL
As Opener – 8.45 rpo
Other Positions – 7.67 rpo#SRHvDC #IPL2020 #SRH— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 27, 2020
RCB 2008 vibes from Sunrisers today – picking two Test captains in Williamson and Holder, leaving out two white-ball superstars in Bairstow and Nabi https://t.co/iqeWE8tcDM
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 27, 2020
Kane in for Johnny Bairstow pic.twitter.com/kczPExdZUH
— Haz (@Yours_haz) October 27, 2020
Been a sharp turn of events from ‘Bairstow is getting 10cr at the next auction’ to being benched for Kane/Holder
— Dave (@CricketDave27) October 27, 2020
Bairstow dropped? That’s enough Dream11 IPL for me today then, haven’t even made it past the toss.
?
— Kieran (@BerbaSpinCric) October 27, 2020
Jonny Bairstow at #IPL2020 so far
Runs: 345
Average: 31.36
Strike-rate: 126.83
Fifties: 3
High score: 97Sunrisers Hyderabad have dropped the England opener for their must-win clash against Delhi Capitals. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/jiWKaBfolG
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 27, 2020