IPL 2019: David Warner signs off in style as Sunrisers Hyderabad crush KXIP

Ajit Vijaykumar 22:37 29/04/2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • David Warner. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    It was the last game of the IPL season for Australia star batsman David Warner and he made it count with another authoritative innings as his 81 laid the foundations for a thumping 45-run win over Kings XI Punjab on Monday.

    Sunrisers batted first in great batting conditions at home and blasted their way to 212-6 with Warner hitting seven fours and two sixes during his 56-ball knock. In reply, Kings XI could only muster 167-8 as the Sunrisers secured their sixth win of the season.

    Super Warner 

    Sunrisers’ talisman Warner was playing his final game of the season before joining the Australian team for their World Cup preparations. Having crossed the 600 run mark already, the southpaw was looking for one final flourish.

    Teaming up with keeper Wriddhiman Saha – who was especially aggressive during his 13-ball 28 – at the top, Warner controlled the innings with his ninth fifty-plus score of the season.

    Mohammad Nabi earned a promotion as Sunrisers looked to breach the 200-run mark and the Afghan all-rounder delivered with 20 off 10 balls as Hyderabad posted 212-6.

    Kings XI Punjab spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a disastrous outing as he was spanked for five fours and four sixes in his four overs that went for 66 runs – the second worst bowling effort in the history of the IPL.

    Rahul’s strange knock

    KL Rahul was the only Punjab batsman who showed some urgency but even that came way too late in the innings. At one stage of the chase, Rahul was batting on 39 off 36 balls and with Chris Gayle already back in the hut after top edging left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed, the pressure fell on the rest of the batting to keep up with the asking rate.

    When Rahul was batting on 38 off 35 balls after 11 overs, Punjab needed 117 from 54 balls. The visitors were way behind the asking rate and even though the opening batsman made up for it towards the latter half of the innings, it was never going to be enough.

    Nicholas Pooran tried to inject some life into the innings but his brief stay ended at 21 off 10 balls.

    For Sunrisers, star leg-spinner Rashid Khan ended up with 3-21 and was on a hat-trick at one stage.

    Different routes

    Sunrisers Hyderabad are making the right moves just when it matters while Kings XI are losing their way at a critical juncture. It was the third defeat in a row for Punjab and seventh overall, which has pushed them closer to the exit.

    Punjab possess two star bowlers in captain Ravi Ashwin and Mohammed Shami and nothing much else, which has cost them big time.

    Recommended