IPL 2018, SRH vs KKR: Hits and Misses from the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knightriders match
It was a must-win game for Kolkata Knight Riders as a win would take them through to the playoffs otherwise they would’ve had to wait for other results to go in their favour.
And they produced a very good performance as the Dinesh Karthik-led side romped home with a five-wicket win and confirmed their playoff spot.
Sunrisers Hyderabad had won the toss and elected to bat first. SRH got off to an excellent start as the top three batsmen batted really well.
With SRH comfortably placed at 141/2 in 15 overs, they would’ve wanted to set a target of at least 190 but the KKR bowlers came back well and restricted SRH to 172 as the hosts lost seven wickets and scored just 31 runs in the last five overs.
In reply, KKR got off to a flying start, courtesy of Sunil Narine. He struck a 10-ball 29 and since then they looked comfortable. Chris Lynn scored a good half-century before Dinesh Karthik’s 26 took KKR home.
#5 Hit: Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan started the tournament with a bang and one would’ve got the feeling that in the absence of David Warner, the Indian opener would shoulder the responsibility of scoring big.
However, he went through a run where he reached double figures just once in six innings (and that score was 11). In between this he was also injured and sat out for a game.
However, in the last few games, SRH have got a massive boost as Dhawan has roared back to form.
He scored a brilliant unbeaten 92 against DD in a chase of 188 and then scored a 79 against CSK before failing in the game against RCB.
In this game, he scored another half-century as he continued his good form. He struck five fours and one six in his 39-ball knock. He played normally and didn’t take undue risks and still scored a brisk pace.
Dhawan shared an excellent 79-run opening stand with Shreevats Goswami and gave SRH a good start.
But after the departure of the latter, he played second fiddle to Kane Williamson who was looking in ominous form. But despite all this, the 32-year-old opener scored his 32nd half-century of his IPL career and third in the last four innings.