Twitter Reactions: Sunrisers choke the Royals and rise to the top

Rajasthan Royals were chasing against probably the best defenders in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH once again posted a modest total and then asked their amazing bowling attack to defend it. They responded yet again and 151 proved to be a par total only because of the quality of their bowling.

Kane Williamson won the toss and have defended 118 and 132 decided to trust his bowling attack once again. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur isn’t the fastest of the batting surfaces but RR chased down a stiff looking 168 against Mumbai Indians. However, Sunrisers are a completely different team and the depth in their bowling has placed them at the top of the points table at the half way stage in the tournament.

Both the team made quality changes in the XI, SRH brought in Alex Hales for Mohammad Nabi who hadn’t really got going. He solved their opening troubles. Ajinkya Rahane added New Zealand leggie Ish Sodhi to the team to strengthen their bowling along with young Mahipal Lomror.

While Shikhar Dhawan failed at the top Hales relished this opportunity and scored 45 off 39 balls, skipper Williamson has continued to be at his consistent best and scored another half century. He added 63 runs to the total and despite another middle and lower order failure SRH ended 20 overs at 151/7.

Rajasthan also lost an early wicket as Rahul Tripathi couldn’t deal with Sandeep Sharma’s movement. Skipper Rahane then had a stabilizing partnership with RR’s Mr consistent Sanju Samson. They had half century partnership but just as it was looking dangerous for Sunrisers Siddarth Kaul got rid of the keeper-batsman. No other batsman got going thereafter and the SRH bowlers pressed them down to crush any chances of a successful chase.

Rahane was out there till the end and remained unbeaten on 65 but K Gowtham failed to repeat his heroics against MI and they lost the match by 11 runs.

Here is how Twitterati reacted during the first match of the Super Sunday:

This #IPL 71% runs scored by right-handed batsmen against Rashid are on the On-Side. Can’t play him as a leg-spinner. #RRvSRH #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 29, 2018

Like Oceans XI, Somebody make a film called "Kane Williamson XI". They pull off world's best heists every single game. #SRH

— …. (@ynakg1) April 29, 2018

SRH fans to Kane Williamson… #IPL2018 #MIvSRH #SRH pic.twitter.com/qvU6EE9pau

— Tabrez (@its_tabrez_) April 24, 2018

Winning by 11 runs when you have only 50 to defend in 5 overs with 6 opposition wickets in hand…..This SRH attack is mental.

— Shanky (@CricAussieFan) April 29, 2018

Another jailbreak win for Sunrisers Hyderabad… Bowling wins you T20 matches and they clearly have an attack to do it again and again. Best in this season! #IPL2018 #RRvSRH

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) April 29, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane practicing for the England test matches already. What dedication. #IPL

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) April 29, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane : Played 20 overs, still unable to finish the game for his team…
He's the best test player for India.. #RRvSRH

— Anshuman Mishra ?? (@Anshuman86m) April 29, 2018

A really really outstandingly bad innings by Ajinkya Rahane. Why do they try to anchor a 120 ball chase?

— cricketingview (@cricketingview) April 29, 2018

If Ajinkya Rahane looks at reasons why he does not feature in India's limited overs teams more often, this match against Sunrisers should offer him plenty of those. #IPL2018

— Nitin Naik (@toi_nitinnayak) April 29, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane lead his team to loss. Couldn't accelerate at any time. #RRvSRH

— .Halwaai. (@tomnjerrytwo) April 29, 2018

Ajinkya rahane ~good batsmen as per experts technically, but never win s a match.

— chikki (@srishersingh) April 29, 2018

#RRvSRH

When you see Ajinkya Rahane playing a t-20 match- pic.twitter.com/FLnKi0vypm

— उड़ता तीर ? : The Flying Arrow (@daring_diggy) April 29, 2018

If you want to defend the match against RR, keep Ajinkya Rahane on the crease. #VIVOIPL #SRHvRR

— Purav Desai (@puravdesai95) April 29, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane is the rare opening legend of T20 cricket who despite playing till last over couldn't finish the game. Have happened once before too ?

— ? (@boss_returns) April 29, 2018

Sunrisers didn't win it. Rajasthan lost it. @ajinkyarahane88 should get on the next flight to England and play county cricket, and if possible take Buttler with him. #RRvSRH

— Cricket Bakchod (@Cric_bakchod) April 29, 2018

Highest unbeaten scores by openers in unsuccessful IPL chases:

94 N Ojha v CSK, 2010
92 V Kohli v MI, 2018
84 A Rahane v DD, 2012
68 L Simmons v RCB, 2016
65 A RAHANE v SRH, 2018 *#RRvSRH #IPL2018

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) April 29, 2018