IPL 10, Match 6 SRH v GL Review: Rashid, Warner heroics helps Hyderabad stroll home by 9 wickets

Defending Champions Sunrisers Hyderabad made light work of Gujarat Lions in the 6th match of IPL 10 as they registered their 2nd win of the tournament after beating Gujarat Lions by 9 wickets and with 27 balls to spare. It was an exceptional bowling performance by Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan who returned with impressive figures of 3/19 in his allotted 4 overs.

Captain David Warner played a match winning innings and along with Moises Henriques shared a 108 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket. It was hitting at its very best and the consecutive victory will surely bolster their confidence as the tournament progresses.

Winning the toss David Warner put the visitors in.  Openers Jason Roy and Brendon McCullum looked in good touch with Roy beginning with a couple of boundaries of Bhuvneshar Kumar in the 2nd over. The Englishman looked in sublime touch and raced off to 28 in the first 4 overs. Both the openers gave away their wickets at crucial junctures of the match as GL slumped to 37/2 after being 35/0 at one stage.

It was leg-spinner Rashid Khan who provided the home team with the maiden breakthrough of McCullum in the 5th over. It was well-directed wrong un which turned just enough to crash onto his pads. It looked adjacent to the stumps and the umpire had no hesitation to rule it in favour of the bowling side. Roy was holed out short mid wicket region while attempting a pull as Shikhar Shawan dived full length and completed a sensational catch.

Rashid was at his very best and got his wicket by bamboozling Aaron Finch with another wrong un. It again struck him adjacent to the stump and the umpire had no hesitation in his mind. He added another in a matter of minutes by dismissing Suresh Raina with a big leg break. Dinesh Karthik and Dwayne Smith struck some delightful shots to take the score beyond the 100 mark.

Basil Thampi smashed a huge six in the penultimate over of the innings as the visitors finished at a below par score of 135 in the allotted 20 overs. Youngster Rashid Khan was simply exceptional finishing with figures of 3/19 in 4 overs. The defending champions began in an impressive fashion with David Warner smashing a boundary Praveen Kumar through the extra cover region.

A hat-trick of sixes was smashed by the openers in the 3rd over with Dhawan smashing the first one and Warner adding a couple more in a matter of 3 balls. Captain Suresh Raina took a big gamble and introduced himself into the bowling attack in the powerplay and was smashed all around the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Shikhar Dhawan gave away his wicket in the very next over of Praveen Kumar attempting a flick. It was a gentle full toss on the leg stump but he somehow managed to top edge it straight up in the air. Warner smashed boundaries after boundaries and looked in complete of proceedings. He was looking in no mood to press off the accelerator and continued the carnage with disdain.

Henriques, on the other hand, was also finding the gaps and played the perfect foil to Warner. Both played some delightful shots and ensured Hyderabad reached the target without any further hiccups. Warner struck some audacious shots and eventually remained unbeaten on 76 of 45 deliveries, an innings constructed with 6 fours and 4 hits over the fence.

Henriques also remained not out on 53 and the partnership shared with Warner helped Hyderabad win their 2nd game on a trot. Praveen Kumar was the only wicket taker in the match finishing with figures of 1/16 in 2 overs. Gujarat have only taken a solitary wicket in the tournament so far after the 10 wicket loss at the hands of Kolkata a couple of days ago.

Brief Scores

Gujarat Lions 135/7 in 20 overs (Dwayne Smith 37, Jason Roy 31, Rashid Khan 3/19,

Sunrisers Hyderabad 140/1 in 15.3 overs (David Warner 76*, Moises Henriques 52*, Praveen Kumar 1/16)

Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 9 wickets (with 27 balls remaining)