JOIN USOpener Shikhar Dhawan hit a fluent 77 before Kane Williamson conjured up an unbeaten 54 to propel Sunrisers Hyderabad to a challenging 207 for three against Kings XI Punjab in their IPL match, here today.
Home skipper Glenn Maxwell invited Hyderabad to bat but could hardly trouble the visitors who negotiated the attack with remarkable ease.
The platform for Hyderabad's second 200-plus total was set by the whirlwind 107-run stand between Dhawan and skipper David Warner (51).
After Dhawan and Warner did the job with their half- centuries, Kiwi batsman Williamson provided the finishing touches to Hyderabad innings with his fiery knock that came off just 27 balls.
Dhawan and Warner struck the ball hard and clean, sending the fielders on a leather hunt even as the ball swung a bit initially, suggesting that pacers may dictate the terms.
However, none of the bowlers could make an impression with the two left-handers finding boundaries at will. The runs came at a good pace and Hyderabad had put on board 100 runs before the half-way mark.
Skipper Maxwell (2/29) introduced himself to the attack and succeeded in sending back his counterpart, who swept and missed only to see his stumps rattled. Warner's 51 came off just 27 balls with four sixes and and as many fours.
By that time the damage was already done and Hyderabad were set for a big total. Kane Williamson joined Dhawan at the crease and there was a period of 18 balls when no boundary was scored.
Williamson broke the shackles as he opened his arms to smack Axar Patel for a huge six over mid-wicket region. Mohit Sharma dismissed Dhawan, who holed out to Maxwell in the mid-wicket region. Dhawan took 48 balls for his knock which had nine shots to the fence and one over the ropes.
His fall brought Yuvraj (15) to the crease and the onus to exploit the good work done by the openers was on him and his Kiwi partner. However the left-hander could not contribute much, becoming second victim of Maxwell.
Williamson though ensured that Hyderabad cross the 200- run mark with his innings which was laced with six boundaries, including two sixes.