IPL 2018: 3 key players behind Sunrisers Hyderabad's run into the playoffs
Sunrisers Hyderabad have done it again! Following another dominant group phase, the 2016 champions have cantered into the playoffs for the third year running.
The Orange Army made light work of Delhi's otherwise formidable target of 188, to storm past it by losing only a single wicket and with one more over still to go.
Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson combined to produce an unbeaten knock of 175 between them, but the outcome is only the tip of the iceberg.
Hyderabad have been firing at all cylinders throughout the season. Barring a few glitches here and there, they've been at the top of their game.
That's down to several players conjuring their best. But let's focus on the top three players who fostered the dominant run, and propelled SRH into the last four.
#1 Kane Williamson
Let's start from the top. The New Zealander is enjoying his best spell in the Indian Premier League, storming to 493 runs in 11 innings, bettered only by Delhi's Rishabh Pant.
Having endured a slow start to the campaign that saw him amass only 41 runs from the first two games, Williamson has upped the ante thereafter.
He currently boasts an average of 61.62 and is also the player with most half-centuries for the season thus far with six.
Retained for a lucrative price of Rs.3 crore, Williamson was also entrusted with the captaincy role for this edition.
Two-third of the season in, it suffices to say he's shouldered it with aplomb.
Hyderabad fell at the last hurdle in 2017. But under Williamson's leadership and rich vein of form, stand a good chance to go one better this term.