Biplab Samantray scored 55 runs off 46 balls in Hyderabad yesterday. (BCCI)
IANS/Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad brightened their chances of entering the semifinals of Indian Premier League (IPL) by beating Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs in a crucial tie at Rajiv Gandhi international stadium here yesterday.
Chasing a target of 137, Royals, who were playing their first match after the arrests of their three players in spot fixing scandal, could only score 113 for nine in 20 overs.
With two crucial points, Sunrisers have taken their tally to 18 and moved up to fourth position on the points table. If they win their last league match here against Kolkata Knight Riders, they will make it to the play-offs even if Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Chennai Super Kings in Bangalore today.
The Sunrisers’ win has eliminated the chances of Kings XI Punjab entering the semi-finals.
The home team’s bowlers bowled with discipline once again to defend a modest total. Amit Mishra, Karan Sharma, Dale Steyn and Thisara Perera bagged two wickets each.
Royals made a cautious start with Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane adding 39 runs for the first wicket before Dravid departed after he found himself short of the crease to a direct throw by his counterpart Cameron White in the eighth over.
Sunrisers had another breakthrough in the very next over when Rahane was held by Dhawan at deep cover while going for a big hit off Sharma.
Royals scored 30 off first five overs but the next five overs yielded only 14 runs with the loss of two wickets. Samson (5 off 7 balls) also departed in the 12th over while trying to hit over the top off Mishra but getting caught by Steyn at long-off. With 51 for three in 12th over, the visitors were in deep trouble.
With the asking rate climbing, the home side applied more pressure with runs coming only in singles.
Perera dealt a double blow in his second over (14th of the inning), first removing danger man Shane Watson by having him caught by Darren Sammy at long-on boundary and then cleaned bowled Stuart Binny, who was looking to hit second consecutive boundary.
Royals were now struggling at 65 for five in 14th over.
Mishra gave Sunrisers another breakthrough in 16th over by trapping Sachin Baby (3 off 7) before the wicket. Faulkner hit a six of Sharma but the spinner had the last laugh by sending him back to the very next delivery.
Steyn struck on the very first ball of his second spell to rattle Brad Hodge’s stumps to virtually eliminate any chances of a resistance by Royals. Cooper hit 26 off 12 balls but it was not enough.
Earlier, Faulkner had a dream spell, claiming five for 16 as Royals restricted Sunrisers to 136. Electing to bat after winning the toss, Sunrisers reached 136 after being reduced to three for five in third over, thanks mainly to Biplab Samantray’s 55 (46 balls, 6x4,1x6) and some useful contribution by Sammy (23) and Hanuma Vihari (19).
Royals took to the field confidently, dominating the game in the initial overs.
With a spell reading 4-1-16-5, Faulkner was simply unplayable. With 26 wickets in 14 matches, he has become the leading wicket taker this IPL season.