Sunrisers Prove Too Hot For Capitals, Go Top Of The Table

After the bowlers restrict the Delhi side to 129, Bairstow comes to the party again with a blistering start

- Rakesh Rao

With Delhi Capitals repeatedly shooting itself in the foot, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s successful chase was never in doubt.

The eventual five-wicket verdict was Hyderabad’s third win and resulted in the third defeat for the host. Much before the winning six was hit, Delhi’s ordinary batting and Hyderabad’s whirlwind start gave the match a one-sided look.

In fact, the eventual margin does not really reflect Hyderabad’s grip on the proceedings as it stretched its winning sequence.

After poor stroke-selection spelt Delhi’s doom, Jonny Bairstow threatened to almost single-handedly take Hyderabad home as it chased a modest target of 130.

In full flow

Bairstow and fellow-opener David Warner looked good to post a fourth successive century-stand after raising 62 in PowerPlay.

During this period, Bairstow smashed nine boundaries and a six by virtually monopolising the strike.

He was particularly severe, in varying degrees, on Sandeep Lamichhane, Chris Morris, Axar Patel and Kagiso Rabada between the third and sixth overs that produced 55 runs! But off successive overs,

Bairstow and Warner departed, thereby giving Delhi time to regroup. From 68 for two in eight overs, the target was far from intimidating and Hyderabad could afford to move to a lower gear to cover the remainder of the distance.