IPL Opener: SRH downs injury-marred RCB by 35 runs

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Sunrisers Hyderabad started their IPL 2017 campaign on a winning note by beating an injury-marred Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad on April 5.

Losing the toss and batting first, SRH batting line up made a collective effort to pile on 207 runs, with major contributions from veteran Yuvraj Singh and Aussie all-rounder Moises Henriques. Despite losing skipper David Warner early in the game, the middle-order put up an impressive show to provide a strong backbone for the team.

While Shikhar Dhawan scored 40 off 31, Henriques’ fifty came in 36 balls. Yuvraj looked in his vintage form as the southpaw struck a quick-fire 62 off 27 balls. A challenging total of 208 could have been achievable on the Rajiv Gandhi track but a depleted RCB side could only manage 172 runs in 19.4 overs. The Bangalore franchise, who was playing without the services of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, was bowled out for the first time in 23 IPL games.RCB’s mainstay Chris Gayle failed to strike a big knock as he was removed by Deepak Hooda at 32. 

SRH’s new purchase, Rashid Khan bowled an impressive spell to outwit RCB’s batting line-up. The Afghanistan leggie picked two for 26 in four overs, which included the dismissals of Mandeep Singh (24) and Travis Head (30). Kedar Jadhav, who scored a quick 31 off 16 balls, looked dangerous before being run-out on Ben Cutting’s direct throw. 

While Nehra, Bhuvi and Rashid picked two wickets each, Hooda and Bipul had one wicket to their name. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals and SRH, who was under no pressure, coasted to victory.

The second leg of the same fixture will be held on April 25 at Bangalore.
 

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