IPL 2018: Match 4, SRH vs RR - Rating of the Match

The Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed its first one-sided encounter of the season as Sunrisers Hyderabad romped past Rajasthan Royals with nine wickets in hand. While the bowling attack of the home side looked absolutely brilliant on the day, it was the batting line-up Royals which disappointed everyone. All of them failed apart from Sanju Samson who looked elegant while he was there in the middle. However, it was Shikhar Dhawan and Siddarth Kaul who impressed the most along with the clever captaincy of Kane Williamson.

Kaul’s intriguing spell (2/17)

Siddarth Kaul was brought into the attack soon after the end of the powerplay with Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson going strong. He is generally known for his variations and knuckle balls which he mastered in the last season. But he was up and running bowling some pacy deliveries. He began with a good length delivery on middle and off which skidded on and surprised Samson as he thick-edged the ball.

The over was so perfect that he had conceded only 4 runs off first 4 deliveries which prompted Rahane to hit the next ball in the air towards deep mid-wicket where Rashid Khan was stationed. The delivery was a full length outside the off stump and the RR skipper was put under pressure by the bowler. He came back to bowl in the 13th over next and Rahul Tripathi was dropped in that over by Billy Stanlake which was a pacy bouncer.

However, the best wicket of the day came when Kaul bowled a rearing bouncer to Krishnappa Gowtham in his next over which caught the batsman by surprise. While the visitors were handicapped with quick wickets at that time, Kaul put in an exceptional effort and banged in the ball short and the Gowtham had no option but to fend it as the ball popped up off his gloves. The catch was taken the wicket-keeper as the young bowler enjoyed the wicket thoroughly and eventually was the best moment of the day.

Dhawan in the marauding mood (77* off 57)

Shikhar Dhawan was in focus in the absence of David Warner and the left-hander stepped up to the task perfectly. He started being a bit edgy in the second over of the innings as a wild slash went over the head of the slips. But then once he got settled in, it was just a treat for the spectators who were undone by the poor show from Royals. Dhawan took the attack to the youngster Krishnappa Gowtham in the powerplay as he was quick to go on the back-foot for the long hops presented by him and was also ready for his quicker ones.

Though the best shot of the knock came in the third over when Dhawal Kulkarni bowled it short and the shot which followed was of the highest class. The left-hander hopped across the outside off-stump delivery and upper-cut it only to send it sailing comfortably over the third-man fielder. The onslaught continued as even Ben Stokes felt the heat of Dhawan’s quality batting. He remained unbeaten until the end and won the game for his team along with the skipper Kane Williamson.

It was too easy on the day for SRH as the Royals didn’t even put up a fight courtesy a blazing knock from Shikhar Dhawan.

Here’s CricTracker’s rating of the match:

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.