Sunrisers Hyderabad ride on Warner blitz

Sanju Samson’s second IPL ton was overshadowed by David Warner’s blistering fifty as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by five wickets to register their first win of the 12th editon here Friday.

Samson’s century, the first in this edition, went in vain as chasing a huge 199-run target, Warner set up the platform for Sunrisers with a breezy 69 off 37 balls and together with Jonny Bairstow (45 off 28) added a century stand for the opening wicket to spoil Rajasthan’s day.

Sunrisers needed a quick start if they fancied their chances of eclipsing Rajasthan’s 198 for two and Warner and Bairstow provided just that to give the impetus for the rest of the batsmen to follow as the hosts chased down the target in 19 overs.

Earlier, Samson stitched a century stand with skipper Ajinkya Rahane to guide Rajasthan to what seemed like a winning score. Samson didn’t spare a single Sunrisers’ bowler and remained unbeaten on 102 that came off just 55 balls with the help of 10 fours and four sixes. Samson’s first IPL century came in 2017.

Warner looked in imperious form as he started clobbering the Rajasthan bowlers from the word go. The Aussie, who hit 85 against Kolkata Knight Riders in a losing cause in their opener, struck fours and sixes at will to propel Sunrisers to 54 for no loss after five overs.

Together with Bairstow, Warner shared 110 runs in just 58 balls for the opening stand. But just when it seemed Warner would run away with the game, Ben Stokes foxed him with a perfect short ball and the opener’s miscued shot was caught by Dhawal Kulkarni at deep fine leg. Warner’s knock was studded with nine fours and two sixes.

It would have been a double blow for Sunrisers but Kulkarni dropped Bairstow at thirdman a ball later. Kulkarni made up for his mistake in the final ball of the next over, latching on to a fine catch at long-off to sent Bairstow packing.

Skipper Kane Williamson (14) and Vijay Shankar (35 off 15) played aggressively to bring down the equation within reach but three quick wickets, including two by Shreyas Gopal (3/27) in the 16th over, set Hyderabad back. But Yusuf Pathan (16 not out) and Rashid Khan (15 not out) played sensibly to overhaul the target with ease.

Rajasthan’s decision to bat first didn’t go according to plan in powerplay as the visitors struggled against Sunrisers’ bowling to garner just 35 runs. But after Buttler’s dismissal, Rahane and Samson took over to repair the damage.