Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Delhi Capitals to register first win

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by 15 runs to register their first win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday.

After scoring a modest 162 for four, SRH got their act together well on the field and restricted their opponents to 147 for seven from 20 overs.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan turned out to be the match winner for SRH as he went on to claim three vital wickets while conceding only 14 runs.   

Bhuvneswar Kumar provided the breakthrough for SRH as early as in the very first over with Prithvi Shaw departing cheaply for two runs after being taken by Jonny Bairstow behind the wicket in the fifth ball. Thereafter, DC Skipper Shreyas Iyer fell for 17 runs after being caught by a running Abdul Samad in the second ball of the eighth over while Shikhar Dhawan departed for 34 after being taken by Bairstow behind the stumps in the third ball of the 12th over with Rashid Khan claiming both wickets. 

Earlier, SRH recovered from a slow start to post a competitive 162 for four from their allotted 20 overs after they were invited to bat first.

The openers David Warner and Bairstow gave them a solid start with a stand of 77 runs in 10 overs. Bairstow went on to make a top score of 53 from 48 deliveries inclusive of one six and two boundaries. Left-hander Warner raced to a 33-ball 45 with the aid of two sixes and three boundaries. The return of Kane Williamson also helped SRH boost their total as the New Zealand Captain provided some momentum during the latter stages with a 26-ball 41 which was studded with five boundaries.

Kagiso Rabada once again impressed for DC with the ball while returning excellent figures of two for 21 while the leg-spinner Amit Mishra claimed two for 35. 

(Agencies)