Published: Apr 16, 2015, 11:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 16, 2015, 11:42 PM (IST)
Rajasthan Royals (RR) won their fourth consecutive game in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 as they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by six wickets at Visakhapatnam. RR were dominant through, although it became close towards the end. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks the highlights of the game.
David Warner’s flashy shot: David Warner began the innings in style and looked in very good touch. He smashed one over mid-on for a four, but the most remarkable stroke came when he smashed one over the off-side for a six. Once he was dismissed for 21, SRH found it very tough as they moved ahead in the game. SCORECARD: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2015 Match 11 at Vizag
Dhawal Kulkarni’s terrific over: Dhawal Kulkarni had dismissed Shikhar Dhawan off the last ball of the fourth over. Wanrer was run out in the fifth. Kulkarni thus came in to apply pressure in the sixth and had KL Rahul out leg-before. Eoin Morgan walked in and had serious problems. Kulkarni continued to bowl a maiden over. Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets; register 4th consecutive win in IPL 2015
James Faulkner’s no-ball and Naman Ojha’s life: In the 11th over, Faulkner bowled a bounced that had Naman Ojha pulling. He gloved it and it lobbed to the wicketkeeper. However, the umpires had a look and Faulkner had just overstepped. Ojha got a life, and off the free-hit, Morgan smashed it over mid-wicket for a six.
Pravin Tambe’s fruitful spell: Pravin Tambe continues to prove his quality in T20 cricket. He bowls it very full and makes it difficult for the batsmen to smash it around. On this day, his spell of two for 21 helped RR build the pressure in the middle overs.
Ajinkya Rahane’s sound innings: The Orange Cap changed hands thrice during this game. It belonged to Steven Smith before the match began and then Warner took it from him. But, ultimately, Ajinkya Rahane won it with a calm knock of 62. It was a solid knock and he balanced between aggression and caution, hitting nine boundaries along the way. Ajinkya Rahane completes fifty against SRH, takes Orange Cap in IPL 2015
Ravi Bopara’s good spell: SRH never looked in the game, although it went to the final over. Ravi Bopara bowled a good spell of two for 18 in the middle. His nagging medium-pacers did the trick as he had Sanju Samson and Karun Nair with his lack of pace. It is a positive sign for SRh as they move ahead.
Steven Smith fails: Yes, that is a highlight! Given his prolific run in recent months, Steven Smith encountered a rare failure as he was dismissed for 13. He hit Karn Sharma straight into the hands of cover.
Tight finish: RR made it a bit difficult for themselves although they were favourites all along. Rahane was dismissed in the penultimate over and RR needed five off the last over. It then went out to the last ball, with RR needing one and Faulkner on strike. Faulkner made room with the field in and smashed it for a four through extra-cover. It was the second last-ball finish in the season for RR.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
