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Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Live Commentary, Match 4, Indian Premier League, 2018, April 9, 2018

RR 125/9 (20)
Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 9 wickets
SRH 127/1 (15.5)
Match over
Rajasthan Royals Inning Sunrisers Hyderabad Inning
0.0 : Hello T20 freaks! Welcome to match 4 of the Indian T20 League and it's a game between Hyderabad and the ones who are making their return after a 2-year hiatus - Rajasthan, the team that won the very first season. Both the teams have suffered an early blow due to the loss of their regular skippers. However, that shouldn't hamper them now as both the teams possess a strong unit.
The big names that are expected to take the field tonight are - Alex Hales, Ben Stokes, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan. Does this excite you? The teams that have chased have won all the three games so far. Will it remain the same? Let's see as the skippers are out there for the toss.
Toss - Williamson spins the coin and it comes down in his favour. Hyderabad will bowl!
Hyderabad skipper, Kane Williamson says they will bowl first. Is excited to lead the team and says they have a fairly new side from previous years. Hopes that they start well with the ball in hand. The four overseas players for them are - Rashid Khan, Billy Stanlake, himself and Shakib Al Hasan.
Rajasthan skipper, Ajinkya Rahane says even they wanted to bowl but the toss isn't in anyone's control. Is looking forward to set a good total on the board and later defend it down. Informs they had some good preparations back home and his boys are excited about this game. His four foreign players are - Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, D'Arcy Short and Ben Laughlin.
We are all set for the action to kickoff. The players have taken their positions along with the umpires. The two openers are Ajinkya Rahane and D'Arcy Short. It will be the leading wicket-taker of the last two seasons who will steam in first up. A couple of slips in place. Here we go!!!
0.1 : B Kumar to A Rahane, Starts off with an away swinger, it keeps shaping away, Rahane watches it go through to the keeper.
0.2 : B Kumar to A Rahane, Some more swing for Bhuvneshwar, Rahane leans ahead and with an angled blade places it past backward point to open the account for him and his side.
0.3 : B Kumar to D Short, Pitches it on a fuller length, curling back in a touch, worked straight to the man at short mid-wicket by Short.
0.4 : B Kumar to D Short, Wide! Strangles down leg, keeps swinging down, D'Arcy looks to flick but fails to get any bat. The umpire stretches both his arms.
B Kumar to D Short, FOUR! Shot from Short! Trying to be cheeky here! Kumar in search of swing tries to pitch it full but ends up drifting it on the pads, Short brings his bat down quickly and flicks it through square leg for a boundary, the first one of the innings.
0.5 : B Kumar to D Short, A bit of mix up but no harm done! Back of a length delivery outside off, punched towards cover where there is slight misfield. The batsmen look for a run but Rahane quickly sends his partner back.
There's a direct hit at the bowler's end by Williamson and tell you what? D'Arcy Short seems to be well short of his crease. Is that the first breakthrough for the hosts? They are already celebrating but let's wait for the official confirmation.
0.6 : B Kumar to D Short, OUT! Run out! Kane Williamson draws first blood, if I can say that. Superb arm, superb fielding. We saw him pulling off some screamers in the recently concluded Test series against England and he has made a statement already here. Fuller ball, Short pushes it towards mid off and sets off. Kane charges towards the ball, picks it up with his right hand and nails the stumps at the bowler's end. Looked out on the first look but it's still taken upstairs. Replays confirm the
Sanju Samson is the new man in at no. 3.
And it will be Billy Stanlake to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Short of a length delivery, moving away, Samson doesn't play at it.
1.2 : B Stanlake to S Samson, On a back of a length around middle and off, punched back to the bowler.
1.3 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Shortish delivery, curling away form off, Sanju stays back to steer it away but the away movement beats him all ends up. There was some extra bounce too for the big Aussie.
1.4 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Length delivery on the hips, clipped behind square on the leg side for a brace.
1.5 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Digs in a short one on middle, Samson tries to pull it away but this one bounce a bit more and beats him again. Good aggressive bowling.
1.6 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Ahead of a length around middle and leg, Samson clips it with timing through the gap at mid-wicket and picks up three to end the second over.
2.1 : B Kumar to S Samson, FOUR! Timing all timing! On a length and just around off, Samson stays back and just crunches it through the line. Pierces the gap through the covers and sends it blazing to the boundary rope.
2.2 : B Kumar to S Samson, Hangs back to a length ball and taps it with soft hands towards mid-wicket.
2.3 : B Kumar to S Samson, FOUR! Ahhh, beautiful! Seems like Samson predicted the slower delivery. Waits for the ball to come, shuffles a touch and unfurls a nice whip past the man at mid on for the second boundary of the over. Good batting from Sanju.
2.4 : B Kumar to S Samson, Now nudges it through mid-wicket and scampers through to the other end. Really sensible batting, doesn't want to hit everything.
2.5 : B Kumar to A Rahane, Good length delivery on middle and leg, worked towards mid on for one.
2.6 : B Kumar to S Samson, On a length but without much pace behind it, pushed gently towards mid off. 10 from the over.
Shakib Al Hasan into the attack.
3.1 : Al Hasan to A Rahane, Darts it in from around the wicket, Rahane looks to flick but misses and wears it on the pads.
3.2 : Al Hasan to A Rahane, On middle and leg, worked towards square leg for nothing.
3.3 : Al Hasan to A Rahane, FOUR! Lovely use of the feet! Floated delivery, served outside off, Jinx dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and drills it through extra cover. No need to run for those.
3.4 : Al Hasan to A Rahane, Once again jumps out of the crease and flicks it wide of mid on for a single.
3.5 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Flatter delivery on the stumps, hit down to long on for another single.
3.6 : Al Hasan to A Rahane, Round-arm action, fired full on the stumps, Rahane nudges it with soft hands towards the leg side.
4.1 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Is lucky to get away with that one! Low full toss on the pads, Samson helps it behind square on the leg side for a single.
4.2 : B Stanlake to A Rahane, FOUR! Nicely done! Short ball, banged on off, Rahane arches back and uses the pace on the ball. Gets cramped for room a touch but still manages to cut it over backward point for a boundary.
4.3 : B Stanlake to A Rahane, On a length and straightening a bit off the seam, Ajinkya tries to turn it on the leg side but gets it off the leading edge behind point for one.
4.4 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Effort delivery! But what a take from Saha behind! Stanlake bends his back, generates some venom and beats the attempted pull shot of Samson. Seemed like it would go away to the fence but Saha leaps as much as he could and collects it. It's called as a wide.
B Stanlake to S Samson, Length delivery, angling in on middle and leg, clipped through backward square leg for a double.
4.5 : B Stanlake to S Samson, FOUR! Leading edge for a boundary! My colleague sitting next to me was amazed to see this. He roars out saying look at the pace, boy! Fuller delivery, angling in on middle, Samson looks to flick it away but gets a big fat leading edge which sails over backward point and races away to the fence. You really can't blame the bowler here.
4.6 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Taps it in front of point for a quick single.
5.1 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Flattish delivery around middle, pushed towards mid on.
5.2 : Al Hasan to S Samson, FOUR! Samson is putting on a show here! He has silenced the crowd, says Manjrekar on air. Floated delivery on the stumps, Sanju steps out and goes bang over mid-wicket for a two-bounce boundary.
5.3 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Flatter again on middle, punched back to the bowler.
5.4 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Quicker and fuller on the stumps, chipped down to long on for a single.
5.5 : Al Hasan to A Rahane, Huge shout for LBW! Quicker delivery, angling in, Rahane gets across to play the sweep but misses as the ball goes off the pads towards backward point. They cross for a leg bye while the bowler is busy appealing. Impact was well outside the line.
5.6 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Drops it short on middle, Samson camps back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket where Bhuvi does well to stop some runs for his side. Just one to end the Powerplay and Rajasthan have 48 on the board for the loss of one wicket!
Siddarth Kaul is brought into the attack now.
6.1 : S Kaul to S Samson, Good length delivery, skidding a bit off the pitch, Samson looks to tuck it away but gets an inside edge which falls down safely on the turf.
6.2 : S Kaul to S Samson, Touch fuller outside off, patted through cover for a single.
6.3 : S Kaul to A Rahane, Kaul with a short ball, it keeps climbing and goes well over Rahane's head. Rightly called as a wide.
S Kaul to A Rahane, In the air... falls short! Rahane decides to take Kaul on. He steps out to play a big shot but skews it off the outer half. Shouts of catch it but it lands well short of Stanlake charging in from third man. A single taken.
6.4 : S Kaul to S Samson, Back of a length outside off, cuts it behind point for a single.
6.5 : S Kaul to A Rahane, OUT! What a catch from Rashid Khan. He's yet to come and bowl but before that he shows how good a fielder he is. Really terrific from the Afghan skipper. The fielding has been superb from the hosts so far. Fuller delivery, angling in on middle, Rahane shimmies down the track and goes for a whippy flick. Doesn't connect well and it goes aerial towards deep mid-wicket. Khan moves across to his left and pulls off a great catch with a slide. Kaul with an Afridi-like celebrat
Ben Stokes walks out next to bat.
6.6 : S Kaul to S Samson, FOUR! Edged and through! On a back of a length outside off, Samson looks to guide it away but gets an edge past the vacant slip cordon for a streaky boundary.
Here he comes, Rashid Khan. What you say? Will he strike in the first over?
7.1 : R Khan to Ben Stokes, Bowls a leg break, turning down leg, Stokes can't put it away and gets hit on the pads.
7.2 : R Khan to Ben Stokes, A shout for a caught behind! A googly, skidding away with the angle, Stokes tries to be cheeky as he goes for the reverse sweep. Doesn't connect but Rashid Khan keeps appealing for a catch as he feels there was an edge. They discuss if they can send it upstairs. No, says Williamson.
7.3 : R Khan to Ben Stokes, Bowls a leg break this time, it turns in with some pace, Stokes looks to put bat on ball but luckily for him he gets an inside edge.
7.4 : R Khan to Ben Stokes, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
7.5 : R Khan to S Samson, Tossed up on off, pushed off the front foot towards cover.
7.6 : R Khan to S Samson, Ohhhhhh! Rashid Khan, what an over this is! Quicker wrong one, Samson has to play as it comes in. Gets a thick inside edge. Hands on head for Rashid as he walks back. Just one from the over.
Billy Stanlake is back.
8.1 : B Stanlake to Ben Stokes, Shortish delivery, pulled down to fine leg for a single.
8.2 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Back of a length delivery on middle, punched down to long on for a single.
8.3 : B Stanlake to Ben Stokes, Touch fuller on middle and leg, Stokes flicks it away through square leg for a brace.
8.4 : B Stanlake to Ben Stokes, The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single.
8.5 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Very full on the stumps, dragged off the inner half wide of long on for a single.
8.6 : B Stanlake to Ben Stokes, OUT! Kane Williamson at it again. Ho! Ho! Ho! The big Ben is out of here. What a big wicket this is. Stanlake delivers a fuller delivery on the stumps, Stokes looks to go for the big heave across the line but drags it off the toe end of the bat. It travels quickly towards long on where Williamson comes a couple of steps in and nearly fluffs it out but due to his quick reflexes, he manages to take it on the second attempt. He then lofts his arms as the entire team b
First strategic break of the night.
Rahul Tripathi is in next. He had a good last season for the Pune franchise. Can he continue his good run? Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan is back on as well.
9.1 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Tossed up outside off, driven along the ground towards long off for a single.
9.2 : Al Hasan to R Tripathi, A bit quicker through the air outside off, tapped in front of cover for a single.
9.3 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Darted in on the stumps, almost a yorker, Samson digs it out towards cover for a single.
9.4 : Al Hasan to R Tripathi, Flat and short on off, slapped past the man at backward point for a single.
9.5 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Shakib drops it short on the stumps, Samson goes back and pulls it towards mid-wicket for a brace.
9.6 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Misfield from Dhawan! Samson whips this fuller ball through mid-wicket. Dhawan comes charging in but he takes his eyes off the ball at the last moment and concedes another one.
10.1 : B Stanlake to R Tripathi, Good length delivery on off, drilled on the up and over the cover fielder for a single.
10.2 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Hangs back and pushes it down to long on for a single.
10.3 : B Stanlake to R Tripathi, Chases the wide short ball outside off but only connects with thin air.
10.4 : B Stanlake to R Tripathi, Beaten again! Billy Stanlake drops it on a back of a length outside off, Tripathi looks to flay it away but there is pace and bounce which gets the better of him.
10.5 : B Stanlake to R Tripathi, Back of a length outside off, tapped in front of point for a single.
10.6 : B Stanlake to S Samson, Shortish of a length delivery outside off, Sanju dabs it towards Pandey at backward point and sets off. The fielder scores a direct hit at the striker's end but Rahul was well in. Stanlake is done for the night. 4-0-29-1, read his figures!
Rashid Khan is back on.
11.1 : R Khan to S Samson, Punched off the back foot down to long on for a single.
11.2 : R Khan to R Tripathi, Loopy delivery outside off, Rahul works it off the back foot down the ground for a single.
11.3 : R Khan to S Samson, Goes back to tuck it away but this one turns away, goes off the leading edge towards cover and a single is picked up.
11.4 : R Khan to R Tripathi, FOUR! Beautifully done! Leans forward to a tossed up delivery and lofts it inside out over extra cover for a boundary.
11.5 : R Khan to R Tripathi, FOUR! Back-to-back! Quicker leg break, turning away, Rahul waits till the last moment and then opens the face of the bat. Still gets it off the edge wide of Williamson at first slip for a boundary.
11.6 : R Khan to R Tripathi, The batsman gives this a full swing of the bat, down on one knee. One run added to the total.
Siddarth is 'Kaul-ed' back.
Is it pad first? But where is the impact? Hyderabad have taken the review against Rahul.
12.1 : S Kaul to R Tripathi, Impact is outside the line! Kaul hurls a length delivery outside off, Tripathi comes forward and looks to tap it away with his bat close with the front pad. The ball rolls towards cover and they take a single. Kaul is appealing his heart out but the umpire turns it down. He then convinces his skipper to take the DRS. Ultra Edge shows it is pad first but the impact was well outside the line. The on-field calls stays and Hyderabad lose their review.
12.2 : S Kaul to S Samson, On a back of a length outside off, whipped away towards long on for a single.
12.3 : S Kaul to R Tripathi, Waits for the short ball and then flat-bats it down to long on for a single.
12.4 : S Kaul to S Samson, Good length delivery, skidding in, Samson tries to work it away but gets it off the pads towards third man. Another huge shout is turned down and they cross. Replays detect an inside edge but the umpire signals it as a leg bye.
12.5 : S Kaul to R Tripathi, In the air... just short! Kaul sees Rahul giving the charge and hence drops it short outside off. The batter is in no control to play the pull but still goes on with the shot. Gets a top edge towards third man where Stanlake goes for the catch, divesf orward but the ball lands short of him. One run added to the total.
12.6 : S Kaul to S Samson, Fuller delivery on off, pushed towards cover.
Shakib Al Hasan to bowl out.
13.1 : Al Hasan to R Tripathi, Tripathi comes down the track and almost yorks himself. Manages to jam it out towards cover.
13.2 : Al Hasan to R Tripathi, OUT! Straight to Pandey! Shakib Al Hasan strikes! Floated delivery, served wider on off, Rahul Tripathi dances down the track and looks to hit it across the line. Ends up dragging it off the inner half but much to his dismay, it goes straight down the throat of Pandey stationed at long on.
Jos Buttler is in next.
13.3 : Al Hasan to S Samson, Darted on middle, worked towards mid-wicket for a single.
13.4 : Al Hasan to Jos Buttler, Driven past cover for one.
13.5 : Al Hasan to S Samson, OUT! Rashid Khan with another good catch! Shakib Al Hasan strikes for the second time in the over and this will hurt Rajasthan big time as they lose their set batsman, Sanju Samson, for one short of a fifty. Smart bowling from the all-rounder. He sends it slower through the air and bowls it a touch wider on off, Samson steps out to go over extra cover but ends up slicing it high in the air. Khan rushes in from the deep, keeps his eyes on the ball and slides to takes a
Strategic break taken!
Gowtham is in next.
13.6 : Al Hasan to Jos Buttler, Buttler gets going with a push through cover and shall retain strike. 3 runs and two wickets from the over and Shakib ends his spell with figures of 4-0-23-2!
14.1 : S Kaul to Jos Buttler, Shortish delivery, bowled wider outside off, Buttler looks to slash it away but fails to get any wood.
14.2 : S Kaul to Jos Buttler, Short of a length delivery from Kaul, Buttler stays back and knocks it down to long on for a single.
14.3 : S Kaul to K Gowtham, Back of a length ball outside off, punched nicely but finds Pandey at point.
14.4 : S Kaul to K Gowtham, OUT! The front foot is fine and another one bites the dust! This is nasty stuff from Siddarth Kaul. Deserves this thoroughly. He bangs one short, it keeps climbing and gets big on Gowtham who is in a complete tangle. Fends at it awkwardly but the ball takes the gloves and pops behind where Saha accepts an easy catch. They check for the front foot but it's just about fine feels the TV umpire. So last 9 balls, Rajasthan have lost three wickets and have scored just four
Gowtham is gone. But wait hold on, the umpires are checking for the front foot no ball...
Shreyas Gopal walks out next.
14.5 : S Kaul to S Gopal, Another well-directed bouncer, Gopal is happy to duck under it.
14.6 : S Kaul to S Gopal, Length delivery outside off, steered through point for a single.
Rashid Khan to bowl his third over.
15.1 : R Khan to S Gopal, FOUR! Deft! Loopy leg break outside off, Gopal places it with an angled bat down to third man for a boundary.
15.2 : R Khan to S Gopal, Fuller on off, Gopal drives it through the gap at cover and picks two.
15.3 : R Khan to S Gopal, Around middle and leg, worked through square leg for one.
15.4 : R Khan to Jos Buttler, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
15.5 : R Khan to S Gopal, Turning away from a length outside off, Gopal lunges forward to push it away but misses and so does Saha. Dhawan at first slip dives to his left to stop some runs.
15.6 : R Khan to S Gopal, Flatter outside off, cut towards point for a single.
Bhuvi, the death specialist is back into the attack.
16.1 : B Kumar to S Gopal, On a length and just outside off, Gopal stays behind the line and keeps it out.
16.2 : B Kumar to S Gopal, Wide! Kumar pounds in a short one outside off, Shreyas ducks under it. It's too high and called as a wide.
B Kumar to S Gopal, FOUR! Much-needed boundary! On a good length outside off, Gopal prods ahead and drives it with some timing through cover for a boundary.
16.3 : B Kumar to S Gopal, Back of a length outside off, SG runs it down to third man for one.
16.4 : B Kumar to Jos Buttler, Wrists this length delivery towards long on to get to the other end.
16.5 : B Kumar to S Gopal, Length delivery on the hips, Gopal gets across and tucks it behind square on the leg side for one.
16.6 : B Kumar to Jos Buttler, Fuller on the stumps, milked down to long on for a single.
17.1 : R Khan to Jos Buttler, Flatter through the air outside off, Buttler crouches low to cut it away but doesn't connect.
17.2 : R Khan to Jos Buttler, OUT! Bowled 'em! Rashid Khan opens his account tonight, at last! Bowls a quicker leg break, it skids through, Buttler is quick to go back and pull it away but gets an inside edge which disturbs the stumps. Buttler was the key for Rajasthan if they are to finish well but unfortunately even he departs.
Dhawal Kulkarni is in next.
17.3 : R Khan to D Kulkarni, Wrong one now from Khan, Dhawal comes down the track and manages to flick it away towards backward square leg for a single.
17.4 : R Khan to S Gopal, Huge, huge shout for a caught behind, in fact Rashid is already celebrating. Umpire Llong shakes his head. Quicker ball, around off, Gopal presses forward to defend and Saha takes it and starts to appeal. The hosts feel there was an edge there but the umpire isn't interested. Hyderabad have no reviews left either.
17.5 : R Khan to S Gopal, Flatter outside off, slapped straight to backward point.
17.6 : R Khan to S Gopal, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. 4-0-24-1 are the figures for Khan.
18.1 : B Kumar to S Gopal, On a length outside off, Gopal dabs it towards backward point and takes one. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but misses and Rashid Khan doing the back up fails to stop it cleanly. They take another.
18.2 : B Kumar to S Gopal, Shreyas was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.
18.3 : B Kumar to S Gopal, Gopal pushes this length delivery towards cover for a single.
18.4 : B Kumar to D Kulkarni, Top edge... safe! Kumar with a well-directed bouncer, Kulkarni looks to pull but gets a top edge, it hits the helmet and lobs up. Bhuvi runs forward to take it but the ball falls down safely.
18.5 : B Kumar to D Kulkarni, Makes room and steers it through point for one.
18.6 : B Kumar to S Gopal, Wide! Bangs in a short one, Gopal looks to play the blind pull but fails to connect. The square leg umpire feels it was too high and it's called as a wide.
B Kumar to S Gopal, OUT! Kumar picks one to his name as well! It's the knuckle ball, Gopal looks to send it out of the park but fails to get clean connection. Mistimes it high in the air towards long on where Yusuf Pathan takes a reverse cup catch over his head.
Jaydev Unadkat, the costliest player this year walks out next.
19.1 : S Kaul to J Unadkat, Siddarth begins the last over with a short ball, angling in on the body of the batsman, Jaydev looks to pull but to no avail.
Now a run out is taken upstairs. The batter seems to be struggling. The hosts are already celebrating.
19.2 : S Kaul to J Unadkat, OUT! Good work from Saha! Unadkat slices this length delivery towards deep point and calls for two. Pathan quickly gets to the ball and releases it quickly at the striker's end. Saha takes it and knocks out all the stumps. They take it upstairs and replays show Unadkat is well short of his ground.
Ben Laughlin is the last man in.
19.3 : S Kaul to Ben Laughlin, Makes a bit of room and dabs it down to third man for a single.
19.4 : S Kaul to D Kulkarni, Once again makes room and drills it through cover for one.
19.5 : S Kaul to Ben Laughlin, Bangs in a short one outside off, Laughlin tries to cut but misses. It's not called as a wide.
19.6 : S Kaul to Ben Laughlin, Ends the innings with another short ball, Laughlin stays leg side to pull it away but doesn't connect. Saha was ready to underarm it at the striker's end but the batsmen don't go for the bye. HYDERABAD RESTRICT RAJASTHAN TO 125/9!
Sensational display of bowling from Hyderabad, something that they have been doing for years now in the competition. Kane Williamson inserted Rajasthan in to bat and gave his team an ideal start with a classic run out dismissing D'Arcy Short. Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane were going well to bring things back on track but the wicket of the latter brought about the downfall. The tourists just couldn't get back on track as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Sanju Samson, wh
All the bowlers have shared the spoils. The pacers were really hot to handle with their short stuff while the spinners got good grip and assistance off the wicket. To add to it, their fielders were on song too. They have done the job exceedingly well and now it's on their batsmen to take them over the line. One would feel it would be a stroll in the park but as my colleague says, stranger things have happened in cricket, so let's hope for a fight in the second half. Will the fourth game in a row
0.0 : We are back for the chase. A score the hosts would back themselves to hunt down. It will be Shikhar Dhawan and Wriddhiman Saha will open the innings for Hyderabad, while Dhawal Kulkarni will take the ball first up. A slip in place for him, let's go...
0.1 : D Kulkarni to W Saha, Short of a good length around off, shaping away, Saha opens the face of the bat and taps it down in front of backward point.
0.2 : D Kulkarni to W Saha, Off the mark with that. Fraction straight in line, Saha turns this with the wrists towards fine leg and crosses over.
0.3 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Full and wide outside off, Dhawan goes for the big booming drive through the covers but mistimes it in the same region, towards the fielder.
0.4 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Full delivery outside off, with a hint of inswing, Dhawan drives this back down the ground, but can't beat mid off.
0.5 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Short ball, well outside off, the southpaw doesn't have anything to do with that.
0.6 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Dropped! That too, by one of the safest fielders around. Shortish just outside off, Dhawan is a little cramped for room as he plays the cut shot. Edges it behind towards first slip where Rahane is positioned. At a comfortable height, you'd usually back him to take it, but he puts it down somehow.
Jaydev Unadkat will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : J Unadkat to W Saha, FOUR! Superb shot! Length delivery on off, Wriddhiman Saha leans ahead, swings across the line and lofts it nicely over mid-wicket. Clean strike, sends it across the fence for a boundary.
1.2 : J Unadkat to W Saha, Just ahead of a length, slanting away from around off, it's defended down on the off side from within the crease.
1.3 : J Unadkat to W Saha, Wide! Short ball on middle and leg, too short and Saha has nothing to do with that.
J Unadkat to W Saha, OUT c Ben Laughlin b Jaydev Unadkat. Hyderabad have lost their first wicket.
J Unadkat to W Saha, OUT! First strike for Rajasthan! Unadkat provides the breakthrough. Fuller on off, Saha looks to clear the infield over covers but doesn't time it well. Lofts it high in the air, towards cover, where Laughlin backpedals and takes a good catch.
Kane Williamson is in at No. 3.
1.4 : J Unadkat to S Dhawan, Landed on a length around off, it straightens off the seam as Dhawan walks down the track. It beats the outside edge and goes into the keeper's gloves.
1.5 : J Unadkat to S Dhawan, FOUR! Edged and over! Not where he exactly intended to play, but he'll accept the runs regardless. Short ball, cramped for room again but he flashes hard at this one. It takes a thick edge and flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.
1.6 : J Unadkat to S Dhawan, Shortish in length and angling in, Dhawan pulls it along the ground to fine leg and takes a single.
2.1 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Fuller in length and in the channel outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.
2.2 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, FOUR! Full and outside off, Dhawan crouches a little low and crunches the drive through the covers, for a boundary this time. Good shot.
2.3 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Play and a miss! Slightly fullish in length and moving away from off, Shikhar looks to slash this hard, but fails to make any kind of connection.
2.4 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Marginally ahead of a length, quite close to off, cut hard, but straight to the man at point.
2.5 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, SIX! Typical Shikhar Dhawan, that. Short ball, outside off, Dhawan knows exactly what he's going to do here. He stands tall and cuts it hard over third man and clears the fence with absolute ease.
2.6 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Wide! Way, way, way, way, way down the leg side. Dhawan doesn't even think about fiddling with that. I wouldn't have either to be honest, can't blame him. Clear wide signalled by the umpire.
D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Drags the length back on this occasion, forces the left-hander to defend it down on the track.
3.1 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Back of a length delivery, around off, Kane stands firm and blocks it with a straight blade.
3.2 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Shortish in length again, outside off, blocked yet again.
3.3 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, FOUR! Scintillating shot from Kane Williamson! Picks up the length early as it's pitched a bit short, so he rises on his toes and cuts it beautifully past point to send it all the way.
3.4 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Touch straighter in line, on middle and off, gets behind the line of the ball and blocks.
3.5 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, SIX! Showing his class, is the evergreen Kane Williamson. What a player! Bumper on the stumps, the Hyderabad skipper moves inside the line, positions himself well and nails the pull over square leg to perfection. Rockets into the stands and picks up a biggie.
3.6 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Worked away through mid-wicket off the back foot. Two fielders go for it, end up misfielding it, which allows the batsmen to come back for the second.
Krishnappa Gowtham is into the attack.
4.1 : K Gowtham to S Dhawan, On the stumps, Dhawan looks to push it away from his body but ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads.
4.2 : K Gowtham to S Dhawan, FOUR! Flat, short and attacking the stumps, Dhawan has no qualms about putting this away. He rocks back and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary.
4.3 : K Gowtham to S Dhawan, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Dhawan! He's making the away side pay for that early dropped chance. Flat and short, outside off, he slaps this through the gap in the covers and picks up another boundary.
4.4 : K Gowtham to S Dhawan, Stays back and knocks it down to long on for one.
4.5 : K Gowtham to K Williamson, Tossed up, on off, not much spin on it as Williamson plays it back to the bowler.
4.6 : K Gowtham to K Williamson, Hangs back onto his back foot and keeps it out safely.
Ben Laughlin to bowl now.
Free Hit coming up...
5.1 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, No ball! But it isn't one, the umpire has got this wrong. A lot of the heel was behind the line. Landed short outside off, Dhawan taps it down on the off side with soft hands. Free Hit coming up...
Ben Laughlin to K Williamson, Caught but it won't count. Williamson moves across the line to pull it away but ends up hitting it straight to mid on where the catch is taken.
5.2 : Ben Laughlin to K Williamson, Dabs it away with the full face of the bat on the off side and gets a single.
5.3 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, FOUR! The runs are coming for Hyderabad anyhow, even if it's not off the bat. Bouncer down the leg side, Dhawan looks to pull but gets it off the gloves. It lobs over Buttler and then it goes behind to the fence for a boundary.
5.4 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, Good length delivery around off, it's patted down in front of cover for no run.
5.5 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot through square leg. They pick up a single.
5.6 : Ben Laughlin to K Williamson, FOUR! Superbly placed! Short and wide, Williamson cracks this square on the off side for a boundary.
Time for Strategic break.
Shreyas Gopal brought on to bowl.
6.1 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, FOUR! Not the ideal start for the spinner. Flatter, shorter and on off, Dhawan goes deep inside the crease and muscles the pull over mid-wicket. Nobody out there in the deep, so that will go across the rope easily.
6.2 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, That was in the air for a good while, but luckily for Dhawan, it falls safely. Goes for the big heave again, but gets a top edge which falls safely in the square leg region. Single taken.
6.3 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Tossed right up there, on off stump, Kane prods forward and meets it with the full face of the bat.
6.4 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Steps out of the crease and knocks it to long on for one run.
6.5 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
6.6 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, Spinning in on middle and leg, Dhawan plays with the spin and turns it away into the leg side. Single to the scoreboard.
Ben Stokes introduced into the bowling attack.
7.1 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, FOUR! Banged in short first up and made to pay the price immediately. Dhawan rises and with all his might, pulls it over the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
7.2 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, FOUR! Poor line again. Stokes sprays it down the leg side, Dhawan just helps it on its way and finds the fence, beating the fielder in the deep. All too easy for the hosts so far.
7.3 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Safe! Outside off, Dhawan taps it towards cover and both batsmen set off. There is a direct hit at the striker's end and an appeal goes up, but Williamson is well inside the crease. Did well to drag his bat through.
7.4 : Ben Stokes to K Williamson, Waits for the ball to come to him before opening the face and running it down to third man for one.
7.5 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Wide! Well outside off, across the tramline, no trouble for the umpire to signal wide.
Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Short and wide, outside off, Dhawan throws his bat at this and misses.
7.6 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Played to the point region by the batsman. End of another good over for Hyderabad.
8.1 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Quicker through the air and shorter in length, Kane eases it down to long on to rotate strike.
8.2 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, Gopal gives this some air around off, Shikhar kneels down and sweeps it away through square leg for a single.
8.3 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Shortens the length on this occasion, Williamson backs away and only manages a punch to the left of the bowler.
8.4 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Makes use of the feet to get close to the pitch of the ball and blocks.
8.5 : S Gopal to K Williamson, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
8.6 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, A swipe across the line from Dhawan, through to deep mid-wicket for a single. Hyderabad need 47 to win off 66 balls.
9.1 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, FOUR! 29th Indian T20 League fifty for Shikhar Dhawan! Angling across on a back of a length, Dhawan hangs back and fiercely cuts it through point. Through the gap and away to the boundary line. Superb knock, he's seeing his team home here.
9.2 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Fuller in length, outside the line of off stump, driven to mid off.
9.3 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, FOUR! Classy from the southpaw! Full ball, outside off again, little bit of width and that's all Dhawan needs. He drives it through the covers and gets another boundary to his name.
Direct hit! Shikhar Dhawan is the man in the spotlight but he looks confident he's in. Let's see now...
9.4 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Not out! Good call from Kane Williamson. His partner survives because of him. Dhawan works this towards mid-wicket and calls for the run. Sets off too, but Kane sends him back in time. There's a direct hit at the keeper's end but Shikhar is back inside the crease in time.
9.5 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Swivels and pulls it along the ground, to deep mid-wicket for a single.
9.6 : Ben Stokes to K Williamson, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, this time Williamson offers a pull in front of square leg for a run.
10.1 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Tossed up on off, Kane gets to the pitch and drives it to mid on.
10.2 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Touch short and close to off, it's forced through the cover area for one.
Review. For an lbw appeal against Shikhar Dhawan. Not sure why it's taken, it's clearly pitched outside leg. The replays will confirm that.
10.3 : S Gopal to S Dhawan, Safe! Told you, didn't I? Looped up outside leg, Dhawan kneels down for the sweep shot but misses and is hit on the front pad. Big appeal goes up, the umpire remains unmoved. Rajasthan, however, probably in a desperate attempt, decide to take the review. It goes upstairs and replays confirm it pitched outside leg. Everything ends there. Leg bye taken.
10.4 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Leg break around off, Kane pushes it towards cover.
10.5 : S Gopal to K Williamson, FOUR! BOOM! Sends it back where it comes from! What a hit. Tossed up, right in Williamson's arc and he murders this. Hammers it straight back over the bowler as the ball doesn't even take a second to get to the fence.
10.6 : S Gopal to K Williamson, Short ball on middle stumps, Williamson goes deep inside the crease and pulls it through to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ben Laughlin back on.
11.1 : Ben Laughlin to K Williamson, Good length delivery on the off stick, taps it away into the off side for nought.
11.2 : Ben Laughlin to K Williamson, Bit short in length, around off, Williamson plays it behind square on the off side and sets off. There is a direct hit at the striker's end but Dhawan is in by that time.
11.3 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, Drives this full delivery towards mid off. No run taken.
11.4 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, Short in length, Dhawan swivels and pulls it away on the leg side for a single.
11.5 : Ben Laughlin to K Williamson, Driven through the covers by the batsman. They pick up a single.
11.6 : Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, FOUR! Full delivery outside off, Shikhar Dhawan leans into the shot and elegantly drives it through mid off for a boundary.
Ben Laughlin to S Dhawan, Short ball on the stumps, it's pulled away, on the leg side, for a single.
D'Arcy Short brought on to bowl.
12.1 : D Short to S Dhawan, FOUR! A gift for Dhawan for Short. Bowls a half-tracker on off, the left-hander uses the depth of the crease to camp back and pulls it aerially across the mid-wicket fence for a boundary.
12.2 : D Short to S Dhawan, Plays this towards the covers but it's a dot ball.
12.3 : D Short to S Dhawan, Plays with the spin, towards square leg. The bowler himself runs to the ball, which allows the batsmen to come back for the second.
12.4 : D Short to S Dhawan, Slightly short and outside off, chopped away square on the off side.
12.5 : D Short to S Dhawan, Spinning in, Dhawan looks to get bat on it but fails to do so. Is rapped on the thigh pad.
12.6 : D Short to S Dhawan, FOUR BYES! Tossed up outside off, it's spinning away, Dhawan attempts the big cover drive, but the ball beats everything. The outside edge, the keeper and the fielder in the deep. A boundary results.
Jaydev Unadkat back into the attack.
13.1 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Short of a good length slanting across, Williamson opens the bat face and dabs it to gully.
13.2 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Back of a length, doesn't rise as much, but Williamson goes through with the pull anyway. Hits it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second.
13.3 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Comes down the track to this shorter length ball, and then blocks it.
13.4 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Moving away from outside off, on a shorter length, Williamson slaps this hard through the covers. It would have gone to the boundary, if not for a good save in the deep. Two runs taken.
13.5 : J Unadkat to K Williamson, Short outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for one.
13.6 : J Unadkat to S Dhawan, Angling back in on a good length, Dhawan moves inside the line and tucks it down towards fine leg for a single. Just 6 needed to win now.
14.1 : D Short to S Dhawan, Tossed up delivery around off, spinning away from the batsman, Dhawan drives it down to long on and crosses over.
14.2 : D Short to K Williamson, Plays with the spin as it's pitched full on leg, Kane wrists it through mid-wicket and another run is taken.
14.3 : D Short to S Dhawan, Short and flat outside off, cut hard towards point.
14.4 : D Short to S Dhawan, Finds the gap this time. Has the width to work with, so he cuts it past point for a single.
14.5 : D Short to K Williamson, Flighted delivery pitched up around off, Kane goes across, gets low and then sweeps it behind square on the leg side.
14.6 : D Short to K Williamson, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. 3 needed off 30.
Dhawal Kulkarni to have a go with the ball again. Should be the last over of the game.
15.1 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Bowls it very wide outside off, on a good length, Shikhar reaches out for it but can't make any connection.
15.2 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Good slower delivery from Kulkarni. Takes the pace off it deceiving Dhawan, who is early into the pull shot and misses it completely.
15.3 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Back of a length outside off, a mistimed slap down the ground, towards mid off. The fielder cuts it off by moving to his left.
15.4 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, Fires it well outside off, Dhawan shuffles across to squeeze it on the off side, but once again, doesn't make any connection.
15.5 : D Kulkarni to S Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan finishes it off in style! Nicely done. Back of a length around off, Shikhar stays back and connects the pull perfectly. He muscles it over mid-wicket and sends it across the rope for a boundary. With that, HYDERABAD WIN BY 9 WICKETS AND 25 BALLS TO SPARE!
A blockbuster start to the season for Hyderabad, clinical and dominating as it gets. Firstly, their bowlers with a disciplined effort restricted the opposition to a scanty 125 and then when they came out to bat, it was Shikhar Dhawan who just stole the show with an unbeaten 77, studded with 13 fours and a maximum. He was dropped on 0 by Ajinkya Rahane and boy, he made them pay big time as he just tore them apart. Not sure if that dropped chance would have made much of a difference but at least t
The only thing that didn't work for the hosts was the promotion of Wriddhiman Saha. That's the only thing that can be faulted, otherwise everything else was on song. The skipper lent a good hand to Shikhar Dhawan and together they amassed a 121-run stand, which also happens to be their best for the second wicket in the history of the tournament. The duo saw its side starting the season with a superb win without any fuss. Stick with us for the presentation.
Ajinkya Rahane says they thought the score they had on the board was low, as 150-160 would have been a good score. Credits Hyderabad for doing well with the ball. Adds that he and Samson got off to a good start, but then lost the plot in the middle overs. States that they needed partnerships which never came and that dropped catch, which in essence cost them the match, is something which is a part of the game, so he takes everything in his stride. Ends by saying that they will learn from their m
Kane Williamson says his guys were brilliant all around and did exceptionally well with the ball. Adds all the bowlers played their part, took wickets and also the catches which was important. Mentions that the short ball plan was more due to the surface than the batsmen, but is happy either way it worked out. Applauds Shikhar Dhawan for his outstanding batting and executing his plans well.
Man of the Match, Shikhar Dhawan says he enjoys playing a long innings as it benefits him and the team. Reckons that he is just implementing the things he's learned with the national team here and is happy he's able to pull it off. States that the fielding is one of their strong suits, which will help them as the tournament progresses.
So, a lopsided game was on offer tonight, not something that we like. All the teams have played a game each now and the ones batting second came out victorious. On that stat, we take your leave but don't forget to join us for game 5 - Chennai vs Kolkata in the former's den on Tuesday at 2000 IST. Hasta La Vista. Cheers!