We saw as many as seven batsmen hit half-centuries in the two Indian Premier League [IPL] matches on Friday, but our Player of the Day is not one of them.
Instead, it is Sunrisers Hyderabad leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who bowled a brilliant spell to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first away win of the season.
The Afghanistan cricketer might have had just one wicket to show for his efforts against Kings XI Punjab, but it was his spell in the middle overs that did not allow the hosts back into the match. The way he held his own against experienced internationals like Shaun Marsh [who made a splendid 84] and Eoin Morgan was a treat to see.
In a match where the bowling was being smashed to all parts of the ground, Rashid conceded just 16 runs from his four overs. In fact, he was the only bowler in the entire match to go at less than six runs per over.
The adjudicators for the Player of the Match rightly picked him for the award at the end of the game.
SOCIAL CHATTER
To have figures like that on a pitch like this is formidable. Hats off to our young lad here.#OrangeArmy #RiseOfOrange #KXIPvSRH pic.twitter.com/5NBaAnaUGM
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 28, 2017
Congrats @SunRisers 👏Good +ve intent shown by all the batsmen👏Gr8 2 c the way @rashidkhan_19 & @BhuviOfficial bowled on a batting wkt👌 #ipl
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 28, 2017
Rashid Khan the Mustafizur Rahman of @IPL 2017 for the @SunRisers ??
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) April 28, 2017
Usually the Bat vs Bat contests are won by a bowling spell. Rashid Khan's in the middle of one such spell. 1/10 in 3.1 overs. #KXIPvSRH #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 28, 2017
Even if you have 200 on board, it is a relief to have bowlers like @BhuviOfficial & Rashid Khan giving you 8 overs. We saw that tonight.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 28, 2017
