IPL 2020 points table: Updated standings after SRH crush KXIP in Dubai
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) suffered their 4th consecutive defeat in IPL 2020 after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) outclassed them by 69 runs in tonight's duel.
SRH elected to bat first after winning the toss. The fearsome opening duo of Jonny Bairstow and David Warner finally strung together a hefty stand which bore lots of similarities to their blazing partnerships from last year's IPL. The two amassed 160 runs from the first 15 overs of the innings and SRH looked set to scale the 220-mark.
It was at this point that things took a dramatic turn. With a couple of quick breakthroughs, KXIP managed to stem the flow of runs. SRH's middle-order fell like a pack of cards, and they could only add 41 runs in the last 5 overs - losing 6 batsmen in the process.
The momentum was with KXIP going into the second innings, but they didn't start the run-chase too well. The openers were involved in a massive mix-up, resulting in Mayank Agarwal having to dawdle all the way back to the pavilion in only the second over of the innings. Things, then, began to look bleak for KXIP when they lost their skipper, KL Rahul, with just 58 runs on the board.
Nicolas Pooran then decided to take SRH head-on. The West Indian southpaw went bonkers in the middle as he smashed the fastest fifty of IPL 2020 off just 17 deliveries.
The run-chase was pretty much on at the halfway stage. But the game-changing moment came around that time when Glenn Maxwell was run out in the 11th over. KXIP's innings soon came to a tame, disappointing end with Pooran's dismissal proving to be the final nail in the coffin.
IPL 2020 Points Table
This is now KXIP's 5th loss in 6 games in IPL 2020, thus far. They remain the nether-most ranked side in the competition. SRH, on the contrary, have broken into the top three on the IPL 2020 Points Table and their NRR has also received a major boost.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 23rd IPL 2020 game tomorrow. After a string of losses, RR will be itching to get back to winning ways. DC, on the other hand, will be eyeing that top spot on the table, and they will displace Mumbai Indians (MI) should they triumph tomorrow.