Twitter Reactions: Jonny Bairstow, David Warner lay the foundation as SRH post 201 runs against KXIP

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), after suffering a 34-defeat in their previous game against Mumbai Indians, came back strongly against Kings XI Punjab at Dubai in Match 22 of the on-going IPL 2020. After electing to bat first, the Hyderabad opening duo of skipper David Warner and Jonny Bairstow left KXIP bowling unit gasping for breath.

The prolific duo was successful in stitching a blistering 160-run partnership for the opening wicket. Both the batsmen, known for their explosive prowess, started hitting boundaries right from the start. The pair gathered 58 runs in the Powerplay itself, laying the foundation of a massive total on the scoreboard.

While captain Warner embraced the role of a sidekick, Bairstow hammered bowlers with a flurry of boundaries. The England international, on the back of his free-flowing inning, reached his half-century in the tenth over and all eyes were on him to notch up his second IPL hundred.

Jonny Bairstow falls 3 runs short of his hundred

A proven performer for England and SRH, Bairstow kept ticking the scoreboard by smashing boundaries for fun. He struck 7 fours and 6 sixes in the course of his knock but he failed to tick the three-digit score. Unfortunately, Bairstow fell short of three runs after being trapped by Ravi Bishnoi in the 16th over.

The right-hander walked back on 97 after guiding his side to a fiery start. In six IPL games this season, he has now scored 241 runs at an impressive average of 40.16, including three half-centuries. Along with Bairstow, Warner also wreaked havoc on SRH bowling unit by smashing 5 fours and a six during his 40-ball 52.

SRH, at one point, was looking to cruise past the 200-run mark with ease. However, after losing three wickets in seven deliveries, SRH’s run-flow suffered a massive setback. It was a young Ravi Bishnoi who emerged as KXIP’s talisman.

Showing exemplary confidence and grit, the leg-spinner scalped three wickets while conceding 29 runs in his three overs. Another youngster –Arshdeep Singh– also sparkled by plucking two wickets and conceding 32 runs in his four overs. In the end, it was Kane Williamson’s quick 20 off 10 deliveries which steered SRH to a daunting 201-run total at Dubai International Stadium.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to SRH’s batting show: