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Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016, Final: Did Qualifier 2 remind you of Qualifier 1?

Qualifier 2 had almost the same script as Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League 2016 starting with Gujarat Lions ending up on the losing side both the times which is just one of the similarity.

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David Warner and Bipul Sharma added 46 runs for 7th wicket for SRH © AFP

With just a solitary match remaining in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 all heads have turned from the Qualifiers and are now focused on the final between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Unstoppable RCB will fight for IPL supremacy against an immovable SRH at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday. RCB stumbled against Gujarat Lions (GL) in Qualifier 1 only to come out of it a more stronger and blithe full side. On the other hand SRH mirrored absolutely the same trajectory against GL in the Qualifier 2 game, lumbering their way only to finish it with a dash of confidence to book a place in the final. For anyone who saw both the matches, could not only pick out similarities but somewhere relived both matches at the same time which acted as a perfect prelude to the tantalizing final that awaits us. Vishal Mehra, takes you through a handful of gentle reminders that how indistinguishable Qualifier 2 and 1 were. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Gujarat Lions vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016, Qualifier 2 at Delhi

Gujarat Lions batting: GL batting first managed to put up 162 for 7 against a spirited RCB bowling show, with Shane Watson wrecking havoc over the lower middle order batsmen. GL purely survived by Dwayne Smith 41-ball 73 knock bought respectable total on the board. GL against SRH were no different this time around getting bundled out for low score of 158. Aaron Finch came to the rescue for GL, notching up a rather slow half-century according to his standards but none the less valuable to the cause.

Batting collapse: RCB requiring just a modest total of 158 to win made a complete mess of the chase. Their most unwavering batsmen Virat Kohli was dismissed too early, as per his standards, in the second over for a duck. Kohli’s wicket started a downward destruction of the batting line-up with Chris Gayle (9), KL Rahul (0) and Shane Watson (1) contributing peanuts to the team’s total. Sachin Baby matched footstep of his top order and departed for zero, leaving his team at 29 for 5. SRH in their innings got off to a shoddy start as well with Shikhar Dhawan gone for a golden duck in the second over, much like Kohli. With Dhawan’s wicket SRH batting line-up came crashing down much a high build Jenga tower. Moises Henriques (11), Yuvraj Singh (8), Deepak Hooda (4) quickly accompanied their team-mates in the pavilion. Ben Cutting and Naman Ojha, failing to show any signs of resistance, departed for 8 and 10 respectively.

One-man ‘armies’

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AB de Villiers remained not-out on 79* © AFP

AB de Villiers: RCB stayed in the hunt because of one man and that being AB de Villiers. ‘Superman’ de Villiers came into bat at No.3 and quickly found himself devoid of any partners as wickets kept failing leaving de Villiers as just mere spectator to the disastrous show. De Villiers unfazed remained aggressive throughout the chase and batted with complete control until the very last ball. De Villers scored a 47-ball 79 that included 5 fours and 5 sixes. De Villiers in his behavior  was unlike the belligerent himself but proved to be enough guiding RCB to the final of IPL 2016.

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David Warner remained unbeaten on 93* © AFP

David Warner: David Warner needed to bat out of his skin to get SRH into the final of IPL 2016 and he batted his heart out. Warner showed no signs of trepidation even as wickets kept tumbling down like a pack of cards. Warner who has been the batsmen for SRH this season proved why he can be dangerous than he actually looks. His patience and steadiness with the bat was to be seen to be believed as one might not recall Warner play such a knock. Warner struck an unbeaten 58-ball 93 to out-do GL who would feel unlucky for the second time.  

Magicians at No.8

David Warner- Bipul Sharma: With Warner soldiering like a lone warrior for SRH it was youngster Bipul Sharma who took center stage at India’s capital Delhi. Bipul, who was hardly known by a cricket fan till date, announced him self and helped Warner reach the final of IPL 2016. Bipul played sensibly, defending when it was most required and striking with brute force. Bipul’s onslaught of Dwayne Bravo was one of the highlights of the game.  Bipul remained not-out on 27 hitting 3 massive sixes in just 11 balls he faced. Warner and Bipul added 46* runs for the 7th wicket in just 3.3 overs striking at 13.14 runs per over.

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ABD- Iqbal Abdulla added 91 runs for 7th wicket
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ABD- Iqbal Abdulla partnership: AB de Villiers was running out of partners and finally found the perfect foil in Iqbal Abdulla, who coming in at No.8 played a blinder of a knock. Abdulla, until this crucial match had hardly batted it out, showing talents as top-order batsman and maybe skills that Kohli could be envious off. With de Villiers advice and guidance, Abdulla batted with responsibility and grit. Abdulla ended up scoring 33 off 25 balls and also got  the winning knock much to delight of RCB. De Villiers and Abdulla added an invaluable 7th wicket stand of 91  runs.

Fun Facts:

1. In both matches Gujarat Lions had one wicket falling to a run-out.

2. In both matches Suresh Raina managed only 1 run to his name.

3. Both matches were completed with difference of one over between them, GL vs SRH (19.2) and GL vs RCB (18.2)

4. Margin of victories were same for both RCB and SRH by 4-wickets, also both times it was achieved while batting 2nd.

(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @capturethecatch )

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