<p>Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers' impressive defence of modest totals continued as the visitors pulled off an 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals on a tricky pitch to rise to the top spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Sunday.</p>.<p>Electing to bat, Hyderabad posted 151 for seven, built around captain Kane Williamson's 63-run knock, his fourth fifty of the season, and his 92-run partnership with Englishman Alex Hales (45), playing his first game of this edition.</p>.<p>They set up the platform for a kill towards the end, but once they were dismissed, none of the following batsmen could make a substantial contribution.</p>.<p>For the hosts, Jofra Archer (3/26) was once again impressive with his pace and consistent execution of yorkers, while spinner K Gowtham provided vital breakthroughs, conceding only 18 runs in his four overs.</p>.<p>Home captain Ajinkya Rahane (65 not out, 53 balls) showed patience and Sanju Samson hit a 30-ball 40 but they left too much for the end. Hyderabad pace duo of Sandeep Sharma (1/15) and Siddarth Kaul (2/23) were very effective in drying up the runs.</p>.<p>The hosts required 27 from the last two overs but Kaul conceded only six runs and also removed local boy Mahipal Lomror (11).</p>.<p>Gowtham (8) could not recreate the magic he had managed against Mumbai Indians when he had blasted a 11-ball 33 to pull off a sensational win as Basil Thampi (1/26 in 2 overs) bowled an impressive final over.</p>.<p>Hyderabad now lead the table with 12 points and are followed by Chennai Super Kings (10) and Kings XI Punjab (10).</p>.<p>Earlier, Hales, playing his first game of the season, built the innings patiently with his captain after Gowtham ensured that Shikhar Dhawan's (6) string of low scores continued as the left-hander dragged one on to his stumps.</p>.<p>The ball was too close to the body as Dhawan attempted to steer it past slips. His sequence of scores in the last four matches read: 11, 5, 0 (retired hurt) and 7.</p>.<p>Hales though played some good cuts and drives. Williamson was dropped on 11 by Rahul Tripathi in the slip cordon off Archer, immediately after the batsman had hit a bowler's back drive.</p>.<p>Home captain Rahane used his resources smartly, using as many as seven bowlers, making frequent bowling changes. The spin duo of Gowtham and Ish Sodhi (1/25) was very effective in keeping the batsmen on a tight leash.</p>.<p>The pacers were disciplined and also swung the ball, never letting Hales and Williamson go after them.</p>.<p>The two batsmen though steadily built the innings even as Hales was dropped on an individual score of 26 by Ben Stokes off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. The two batsmen mostly relied on working the ball around.</p>.<p>The Kiwi captain chanced his arms against Jaydev Unadkat, plundering 21 runs in the 12th over and completed his half-century, his fourth in this edition.</p>.<p>Williamson then launched into a half-volley from Archer depositing it to the stands, giving the run-rate some necessary push. Rahane brought back Gowtham and he broke the partnership by getting rid of the England batsman.</p>.<p>Sodhi had Williamson caught behind off a ball that bounced very low, took a faint edge and was taken by Jos Buttler behind the stumps.</p>.<p>Young West Indies-born pacer Archer then dismissed Shakib Al Hasan (6) and Yusuf Pathan (2) in the 18th over. The consistent wickets meant that visitors failed to finish with a flourish.</p>
<p>Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers' impressive defence of modest totals continued as the visitors pulled off an 11-run win over Rajasthan Royals on a tricky pitch to rise to the top spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Sunday.</p>.<p>Electing to bat, Hyderabad posted 151 for seven, built around captain Kane Williamson's 63-run knock, his fourth fifty of the season, and his 92-run partnership with Englishman Alex Hales (45), playing his first game of this edition.</p>.<p>They set up the platform for a kill towards the end, but once they were dismissed, none of the following batsmen could make a substantial contribution.</p>.<p>For the hosts, Jofra Archer (3/26) was once again impressive with his pace and consistent execution of yorkers, while spinner K Gowtham provided vital breakthroughs, conceding only 18 runs in his four overs.</p>.<p>Home captain Ajinkya Rahane (65 not out, 53 balls) showed patience and Sanju Samson hit a 30-ball 40 but they left too much for the end. Hyderabad pace duo of Sandeep Sharma (1/15) and Siddarth Kaul (2/23) were very effective in drying up the runs.</p>.<p>The hosts required 27 from the last two overs but Kaul conceded only six runs and also removed local boy Mahipal Lomror (11).</p>.<p>Gowtham (8) could not recreate the magic he had managed against Mumbai Indians when he had blasted a 11-ball 33 to pull off a sensational win as Basil Thampi (1/26 in 2 overs) bowled an impressive final over.</p>.<p>Hyderabad now lead the table with 12 points and are followed by Chennai Super Kings (10) and Kings XI Punjab (10).</p>.<p>Earlier, Hales, playing his first game of the season, built the innings patiently with his captain after Gowtham ensured that Shikhar Dhawan's (6) string of low scores continued as the left-hander dragged one on to his stumps.</p>.<p>The ball was too close to the body as Dhawan attempted to steer it past slips. His sequence of scores in the last four matches read: 11, 5, 0 (retired hurt) and 7.</p>.<p>Hales though played some good cuts and drives. Williamson was dropped on 11 by Rahul Tripathi in the slip cordon off Archer, immediately after the batsman had hit a bowler's back drive.</p>.<p>Home captain Rahane used his resources smartly, using as many as seven bowlers, making frequent bowling changes. The spin duo of Gowtham and Ish Sodhi (1/25) was very effective in keeping the batsmen on a tight leash.</p>.<p>The pacers were disciplined and also swung the ball, never letting Hales and Williamson go after them.</p>.<p>The two batsmen though steadily built the innings even as Hales was dropped on an individual score of 26 by Ben Stokes off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. The two batsmen mostly relied on working the ball around.</p>.<p>The Kiwi captain chanced his arms against Jaydev Unadkat, plundering 21 runs in the 12th over and completed his half-century, his fourth in this edition.</p>.<p>Williamson then launched into a half-volley from Archer depositing it to the stands, giving the run-rate some necessary push. Rahane brought back Gowtham and he broke the partnership by getting rid of the England batsman.</p>.<p>Sodhi had Williamson caught behind off a ball that bounced very low, took a faint edge and was taken by Jos Buttler behind the stumps.</p>.<p>Young West Indies-born pacer Archer then dismissed Shakib Al Hasan (6) and Yusuf Pathan (2) in the 18th over. The consistent wickets meant that visitors failed to finish with a flourish.</p>