Chennai, Apr 21 (UNI) Opener Jonny Bairstow scored a
disciplined half century as former champions Sunrisers
Hyderabad (SRH) huffed and puffed, before romping home
by nine wickets over Punjab Kings for their first win in this
edition of the IPL here today.
After the bowlers restricted Punjab Kings to 120 all out in
19.4 overs with left arm seamer Khaleel Ahmed claiming
three wickets and spinner Abhishke Sharma cliaming two,
SRH skipper David Warner scored a run a ball 37 (3x4,
1x6) and added 73 for the first wicket with Bairstow in
10.1 overs.
With the pitch offering some assistance to the spinners,
Bairstow in the company of Kane Williamson overhauled
the target, scoring 121 for one with eight balls to spare in
a low-scoring contest.
While Bairstow remained unbeaten on 63 (56 balls, 3x4,
3x6), Williamson was unbeaten on 16 (19 balls).
SRH started their chase in a typical blazing fashion as
openers Jonny Bairstow and David Warner picked runs
at a quick pace.
A couple of boundaries and sixers by both the batsmen
helped SRH reach 40 for no loss in five overs at 50 for
loss at the end of power play.
However, things started slowing down as left arm pacer
Arshdeep Singh, who bowled several slower balls and
spinners M Ashwin, Fabien Allen and Deepak Hooda
bowled a tight length as boundaries were hard to come
by on a sluggish pitch.
SRH reached 73 for no loss at the half way stage, before
Warner fell (37, 37 balls, 3x4, 1x6) in the first ball of the
11th over bowled by left arm spinner Fabien Allen.
However, Bairstow and Kane Willamson, playing his first
match after recovering from an injury, brought their
experience to the fore and picked runs in singles and
twos to keep the scoreboard.
Just 22 runs came between the tenth and 15th over as
SRH needed 26 in the last five overs.
Bairstow, who held the innings together, scored his
half century with a pull of Hooda in 48 balls (3x4,
2x6) as the target boiled down to ten in two overs.
A six by Bairstow off Arshdeep Singh sealed the win
for SRH and Punjab Kings were pushed to the bottom
of the table.
Following is the scoreboard :
SRH :
David Warner c Mayank Agarwal b Fabien Allen 37
Jonny Bairstow (not out) 63
Kane Williamson (not out) 16
Extras : (lb-1, w-4) 5
Total : 121 for one in 18.4 overs.
Fall of wickets : 1-73.
Bowling :
Mohammd Shami 2-0-16-0
Fabien Allen 4-1-22-1
Arshdeep Singh 3.4-0-31-0
Moises Henriques 1-0-7-0
Murugan Ashwin 4-0-22-0
Deepak Hooda 4-0-22-0 .
UNI GV 1902