IPL 9, Match 40: RPS v SRH - 5 Talking Points

The Rising Pune Supergiants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad game at Vizag was one of the few thrilling encounters we have had out of the 40 played in the league thus far. Although the Sunrisers edged it in the very end, credit must be given to the Supergiants for their valiant effort. Adam Zampa was the star of the show as he picked the career best 6/19 off his four overs, thereby ensuring the Sunrisers were restricted. However, the frugal total proved to be a bridge too far for the RPS as they fell short by 4 runs and conceded all hopes of making it to the playoffs.

1. RP Singh and Ashok Dinda being well:

It has been quite a while since Ashok Dinda and RP Singh flaunted the Indian colors on the international stage. However, on the night against the Sunrisers at Vizag, the duo was simply phenomenal. On a bowler’s paradise, they exhibited some fine and old-fashioned swing bowling as they ensured that David Warner and the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan failed to get away. At the end of the powerplay, the Sunrisers had lost the all-important wicket of Warner as well as fallen way behind the run-rate mark.

2. Shikhar Dhawan rises from the ashes:

Dhawan’s form has been somewhat unprecedented of late. His string of good performances has ensured that most people forget the fact that he failed miserably at the start of the tournament with the bat. Once again, he stood firm and held the fort as wickets collapsed around him and runs were frightfully hard to come by. He eventually lost his wicket, attempting to clear the long-off fence and headed back to the dugout having scored 33 off 27 deliveries.

3. Zampa smashes Sunrisers for a six:

It was unsure if MS Dhoni would have gone in with Adam Zampa following his onslaught at the hands of Virat Kohli in Bengaluru the other night. However, the young leg-spinner was handed his chance as the skipper decided to keep faith in the Aussie. The youngster failed to disappoint. While Ravi Ashwin was greeted with turn and bounce from the surface, Zampa was simply brilliant. The ball turned and bounced as the SRH batsmen fell prey to Zampa’s antics with the ball. He took 6/19, perhaps the second best bowling figures in IPL cricket history. The plethora of wickets ensured that the Sunrisers were reduced to 137/7 in their quota of 20 overs.

4. Baffling batting tactics from Supergiants:

While MS Dhoni’s tactics and gambles in the past have generally paid off, the 34-year old seems to be losing his killer instinct. The first sign of tactical frailties came when Ravichandran Ashwin came in to partner George Bailey for the second wicket. While experts have always recommended and attested the batting of Ashwin, it wasn’t the best decision to send him out to bat in such an important position in such an important game. Moreover, the in-form Saurabh Tiwary was pushed down the order, where he was completely ineffective.

5. Sunrisers clinch intense humdinger:

Despite the batting debacle, MS Dhoni began to right the wrongs by taking responsibility with the bat. Better yet, Dhoni has failed to fire with the bat thus far. However, on the night, it seemed as though everything was indeed coming right for the skipper. Of course, he lost partners at the other end, yet, he was simply in sublime form. He smashed a six in the final over, keeping his side in the hunt till the very last delivery. He, however, perished for 30 after being run out on the penultimate ball and RPS needed 5 from the last ball and Zampa was caught behind brilliantly to hand them a 4-run defeat.

What did the two skippers say after the game? – If we can’t field the players, we can let them go to other franchises: MS Dhoni