Sunrisers Hyderabad had almost wrapped up the contest against Kings XI Punjab when David Miller stepped up and decided to alter the script in spectacular fashion at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Uppal last night.
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Chasing a stiff 186 runs for victory, Punjab were in the dumps at 99-6 and staring at a big defeat but Miller was not willing to throw in the towel.
The left-hander smashed nine sixes and two fours in his 44-ball 89 not out and raised visions of an incredible victory. But it was not to be as Hyderabad escaped to a five-run victory.
Needing 28 runs in the final over bowled by Ishant Sharma, Miller carted three sixes and two fours yet it was not enough as Punjab ended on the losing side for the 10th time this season.
Both captains hailed a superlative knock by the 26-year-old South African.
Take a bow @DavidMillerSA12! That was a great knock! He ends the match with a six but couldn’t save @lionsdenkxip. #OrangeArmy #SRHvKXIP
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 11, 2015
“It was extraordinary. We just left a little too much for him,” George Bailey said.
The Punjab captain, however felt it was a good effort from his team.
“We have plenty of positives in the last couple of games. We have to get our starts better. I can’t fault the effort of the boys,” he said.
“Phenomenal innings from Miller. He batted fantastic,” exclaimed David Warner, who had earlier set the tone with a superb 81 off 52 balls.
The Hyderabad captain’s knock was central to the team surging to a strong total of 185-5 in 20 overs.
Warner and his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (24 off 18 balls) set the pace scoring 56 runs in 6.1 overs. It was followed up by cameos from Moises Henriques (28 off 14) and Eoin Morgan (17 off seven balls) that ensured a high run-rate of nine plus in the innings.
Warner was also involved in a 65- run partnership in 7.3 overs with Henriques, who looked set for a big score but fell attempting to clear the ground holing out in the deep.
However, Henriques returned to torment Punjab with a superb bowling spell claiming three wickets for 16 runs in his four overs.
Watch this glorious catch by #hotstar @klrahul11! How did he get his fingers under the ball there? #SRHvKXIP http://t.co/BfOnUVSxRj
— hotstar (@hotstartweets) May 11, 2015
The Australian and left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma (2-13) left the Punjab innings in tatters before Miller almost took the game away with a breathtaking batting display.
Having managed to withstand Miller’s onslaught, Hyderabad notched their third win on the trot.
It was also their seventh win overall catapulting them to third spot in the standings. A playoff spot is now within striking distance if they notch another victory in their remaining two league games.
Warner believes they are on course for a place in the top four.
“That’s one of the three we needed to win,” he said dwelling on last night’s success.
“We had to be clinical and work on the finish. but credit to Moises Henriques for four overs – 3 for 16. Knowing this ground, 160 was probably par.
Credit to the bowlers for taking early wickets. We are playing a positive brand of cricket, we look to build momentum and make it four in a row,” added Warner, who now tops the run-charts with 504.
The battle for the top four has become intense with Hyderabad emerging as a contender along with five other teams. Only Chennai Super Kings (16 from 12 games) appear safe at the moment which leaves five teams to fight it out for the remaining three slots.
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (15 from 12 games), Rajasthan Royals (14 points from 13 games), Royal Challengers Bangalore (13 from 11 games) and Mumbai Indians (12 from 12 games) along with Hyderabad will be looking to win all their remaining games paving for an exciting finish to the league phase, which concludes on Sunday.
Bangalore are in a relatively better position as they have three games in hand while Rajasthan are living dangerously as they have to win their final game against Kolkata on Saturday.
Mumbai too are in a delicate place after their loss to Bangalore on Sunday which means they cannot afford any slip-ups in their remaining two games.
Hyderabad also have to tread cautiously but they have the advantage of playing their last two games – against Bangalore on Friday and Mumbai on Sunday – at home.
