IPL 2023: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings, Match 14 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered their first loss of the season as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) recorded a dominating eight-wicket win in the 14th game of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 9.

Shikhar Dhawan played a remarkable knock of unbeaten 99 off 66 but Punjab Kings managed to score just 143/9 while batting first. Sunrisers managed well and kept calm to chase the target, with Rahul Tripathi smashing an unbeaten 74 off 48 and Aiden Markram adding a quick unbeaten 37.

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and entered the game with Marco Jansen and Mayank Markande coming in the playing XI for the first time this season. Both players made a big impact. with the South African pacer taking two early wickets in powerplay and Markane taking 4/15.

However, it would have been much worse for Punjab if not for Dhawan's sensational knock. He single-handedly took Punjab from 88/9 to 143, but in vain. Tripathi continued his good form with a match-winning knock as he pulled off an unbeaten 100-run stand for the third wicket with Markram to boost Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden win in IPL 2023.

Shikhar Dhawan the lone warrior for Punjab Kings

As expected, Nathan Ellis kept his place in the playing eleven after his four-wicket spell against Rajasthan Royals. Rabada was expected to come in as an impact player but Punjab were forced to bring in Sikandar Raza when they lost the prized scalp of Sam Curran (22 off 15) early.

Once again, Dhawan took the responsibility to ensure a fighting total fir his team. Matthew Short scored just one run on his debut and the rest struggled. Apart from Dhawan, Punjab Kings' batting order has looked inconsistent. The management will try not to panic after this defeat but they definitely need to sort out a few early issues to return to winning ways swiftly.

Much-needed win for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers needed this win after losing two games by big margins. They clearly started this game as second favorites, but Markram was bold with two big changes to his playing XI, especially preferring young spinner Mayank Marakande ahead of in-form Adil Rashid. Big-money signings Harry Brook and Mayank Agarwal struggled again but the management is likely to continue with this XI for the next few games to keep the momentum. 

It was an all-round performance as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Marco Jansen, and Umran Malik, who contributed with impressive spells. On paper, it looks like a dominating win but not convincing enough as the bowlers allowed Dhawan to run the show in death overs. 

Losing captain and the Player of the Match, Shikhar Dhawan said

I didn't expect I will reach there (99*) at the end of the day. As a batting unit, we had a plan. The way we thought about the wicket, it was a bit different. It was a bit low but we should have moulded our game. I am grateful for the 99 and I am very happy. I was playing according to the situation and kept scoring boundaries when it was needed.

Winning captain, Aiden Markram said

It was special. It was a bit rough for us at the start but we are happy to win today. I believe that our great fan base was a privilege tonight. To get a win in front of them was very pleasing. Identifying how we can get better was quite important. But it was still about believing in ourselves. (On Markande replacing Rashid) It's not a nice move to make but I am super happy for Markande. He bowled really well tonight. He has a lot of heart about him. (On Rahul Tripathi) He is only a couple of balls away from something special and he showed his class tonight. It's easy with Rahul at the other end. Great franchise to be a part of and it's our first win of the season, it means a lot.