IPL 9, Final Review: Sunrisers Hyderabad are the champions of IPL 9

The stage was set for the biggest showdown of the season, it was the all important final of IPL 9. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Bengaluru. Though the Chinnaswamy Stadium was drooping in red with loyal fans cheering for the home team, there were a few cheering for the Orange Army as well.

It was the SRH skipper David Warner who won the toss and elected to bat first. Surprisingly, though, he handed Virat Kohli what he is master at – the run chase. Kohli was happy to be bowling first. Sunrisers openers David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan got off to a rollicking start with Warner playing his natural game. They raced to 59 runs in the powerplay and the RCB skipper had a lot to worry about.

Shikhar Dhawan was dropped early in the innings by Chris Gayle but that didn’t cost RCB much. Dhawan was the first man dismissed on 28 off 25 balls as Yuzvendra Chahal drew first blood in the 7th over. A couple of overs later, KL Rahul dropped a tough chance as Warner edged one to the keeper. Moises Henriques wasn’t effective on the night of the finals and was dismissed on 4 by Chris Jordan.

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On the other hand, Warner made full use of the chance he got and brought up yet another crisp half century in just 24 balls. He was well supported by Yuvraj Singh. Yuvi looked in a good touch too. David Warner perished in his attempt to continue playing the aggressive game in the 14th over by Sreenath Aravind. Warner’s 38-ball 69 was studded with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Deepak Hooda followed him soon in the next over by Aravind.

Ben Cutting walked in the middle as Yuvraj Singh continued his onslaught from the other end. When Yuvraj missed out on a fifty in the 17th over, SRH looked in doldrums. Yuvraj fell for 38 in 23 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Naman Ojha (7) and Bipul Sharma (5) followed soon and the onus was on Ben Cutting. Cutting took everything in his hands and clobbered 39 off just 15 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes to parade SRH to 208/7 in their 20 overs. Cutting’s 117m six was the highlight of the final for sure!

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With a score in excess to chase in the big finals, the RCB openers Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle had an uphill task in their hands. Kohli looked to get set at the crease and was determined to play the anchor role. Gayle, on the other hand, bludgeoned the bowling attack right from the word go. RCB raced to 59/0 in the powerplay. Gayle brought up his half century in just 25 balls and looked to take the game away from SRH.

He was in an absolute carnage mood and his hits all over the park saw RCB race to 100 in 9 overs. The match looked as good as gone and Sunrisers skipper turned to Mustafizur Rahman. Rahman was taken for a six and a four and Warner had a lot to worry about. However, some respite came their way when Ben Cutting got rid of Chris Gayle in the 11th over on 76 off 38 balls. Gayle smacked 4 fours and 8 sixes. The action perspired right after the ball when Kohli was dropped by Mustafizur Rahman.

In walked AB de Villiers with the cheers of AB AB resounding at the venue. Virat Kohli brought his half century in style with a maximum but soon missed a length ball to see his bails dislodged by Barinder Sran. Kohli scored 54 in 35 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. The cheers for AB could not last long too, just 6 balls to be precise, as AB walked back after scoring just 5. It was Bipul Sharma who was the beneficiary then.

Lokesh Rahul (11) and Shane Watson (11) perished soon to see RCB 164/5 in 16.3 overs. With 45 needed off 21 balls, SRH clawed back to the game. Stuart Binny then clobbered a maximum to see RCB get back to the equation. Binny and Sachin Baby were the men who were left at the crease. Bhuvneshwar gave away just 7 runs in the 18th over. 30 needed off 12 and it was Mustafizur who had the ball in hand. The first ball of the penultimate over saw Binny get run out on 9 and that brought Jordan to the crease.

18 was needed of the last over and Bhuvneshwar Kumar the Purple Cap holder had the responsibility to win the game for his team with the ball. He gave away just 10 and SRH clinched the silverware by 8 runs. Sunrisers Hyderabad were exceptional on the night of the finals and were led superbly by David Warner, who almost single-handedly took the team marching ahead.

Brief Scores:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 208/7 in 20 overs (Warner 69, Jordan 3/45)

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 200/7 in 20 overs (Gayle 76, Cutting 2/35)

Man of the match: Ben Cutting