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19 March 2024

IPL 7 UAE: Rajasthan Royals secure thrilling 4-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad

Darren Sammy of West Indies smashes a huge six during the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match against India at The Oval on June 11, 2013 in London, England. (GETTY)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent

Rajasthan Royals pulled off a thrilling four-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad to open their campaign on a high in the Indian Premier League in Abu Dhabi.

Needing a challening 134 to win, Rajasthan were in serious trouble losing three wickets for just 31 on board including that off captain Shane Watson.

Ajinkya Rahane and Stuart Binny shared a fantastic 77-run to put Rajastan back into contention.

Rahane departed scoring 59 but Binny stayed till the end scoring 48 not out from 32 deliveries to ensure Rajasthan crossed the target with three balls to spare.

James Faulkner scored two successive boundaries in the last over when Rajasthan needed seven runs off the last over.

Earlier, brilliant bowling performance from Rajasthan ensured Hyderabad were restricted for just 133 for six in 20 overs.

Hyderabad never got going with wickets falling at regular intervals. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 38 from 34 balls while David Warner (32) and Lokesh Rahul (20) were the other crucial contributors.

For Rajasthan, Dhawal Kulkarni, Kane Richardson and Rajat Bhatia claimed two wickets each.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS


Binny is the man who is taking Rajasthan closer. He is not on strike in the last over as they need eight runs from six balls. RR 126-6 in 19 overs.

Bhatia smashed a boundary but Steyn removed him tempting him for a big hit as Finch takes a lovely catch in the deep. RR 121-5 in 18.2 overs.

Rajat Bhatia c Finch b Steyn 4 (3b 1x4 0x6)

Hodge is gone. Suddenly things look to be changing for Rajasthan. RR 111-5 in 17.4 overs.

Brad Hodge c Sammy b Mishra 1 (8b 0x4 0x6)

That was totally uncalled for from Rahane. Things were going smooth for Rajasthan as he departs offering an easy catch to Finch at long off. RR 108-4 in 16 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane c Finch b Mishra 59 (53b 6x4 0x6)

Steyn is not able to do much on his return. Rahane gets two boundaries in his first two balls. RR 102-3 in 15 overs.

Binny gets a superb boundary off the last ball of Sharma to make the calculations easier. RR 89-3 in 14 overs.

The current partnership reaches 49. Rahane on 45 while Binny is batting on 21. The game promises to go down the wire. RR 81-3 in 13 overs.

Rahane suffers a nasty blow on his head but thankfully nothing to worry. He replaces his helmet and is back. Sharma is all fired up. RR 75-3 in 12 overs.

The equation is getting better for Rajasthan as they now need 65 from 54 balls. RR 69-3 in 11 overs.

Binny looks rock solid. Hammers a six and a boundary off Sammy as Rajasthan reach 61-3 in 10 overs.

Mishra comes into bowl and he does a fine job. Giving away only five runs he keeps the pressure on. RR 49-3 in 9 overs.

Rahane on 26 with the required run rate is nearing eight. RR 43-3 in 8 overs.

A little room and Rahane despatches it to the boundary. Some relief for Rajasthan. They need 98 from 78 balls. RR 36-3 in 7 overs.

Rajasthan's skipper Watson is gone. Very tough wicket to bat on as the day passes by. A delayed decision from Billy Bowden but Sharma is celebrating. RR 31-3 in 6.2 overs.

Shane Watson c Rahul b I Sharma 3 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Kumar has just conceded 14 runs from his three overs. The bowlers are keeping up the pressure. RR 30-2 in 6 overs.

Rahane and Watson slowly finding their feet but the pacers have been doing a wonderful job. RR 28-2 in 5 overs.

That was a drop from Finch. It could have easily added further pressure on Rajasthan. RR 19-2 in 4 overs.

Rajathan in a bit of trouble here. Samson, their young batting prodigy, is gone. RR 15-2 in 3.3 overs.

Samuel Samson c Dhawan b Kumar 3 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Another beautiful over from Steyn. His two overs has just given seven runs. RR 13-1 in 3 overs.

A fine boundary from Rahane eases things a bit for Rajasthan but it's not easy to score on this wicket. RR 10-1 in 2 overs.

Early wicket for Hyderabad as Steyn removes Nayar. He started off with a boundary but was unable to play Steyn's in coming delivery. RR 4-1 in 0.3 overs.

Abhishek Nayar lbw b Steyn 4 (3b 1x4 0x6)

Abhishek Nayar and Ajinkya Rahane open for Rajasthan as Steyn bowls for Hyderabad

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

Yet another wicket is gone. Sharma goes for the big one but fails to get the distance as he offers a simple catch in the deep to Hodge. SRH 130-6 in 19.4 overs.

Karan Sharma c Hodge b Richardson 4 (5b 0x4 0x6)

It's becoming increasingly difficult to batt on the wicket. But Hyderabad don't have a big total to boast off. SRH 125-5 in 19 overs.

Big wicket for Rajasthan. Sammy attempts a big one but finds the 'keeper after getting a top edge. SRH 111-5 in 17.3 overs.

Darren Sammy c Samson b Richardson 6 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Kulkarni gets his second wicket as Rahul is on his way back. SRH 108-4 in 17 overs.

Lokesh Rahul c Rahane b Kulkarni 20 (18b 1x4 1x6)

A rare boundary from Rahul takes SRH to 99-3 in 16 overs.

Another good over from Tambe as he finishes his four-over spell giving away only 23 runs. Unlucky to not get a wicket. Run rate exactly six for Hyderabad. SRH 90-3 in 15 overs.

Bhatia claims another big wicket as Warner departs. His sweep fails to cross Richardson again. SRH 82-3 in 13.2 overs.

David Warner c Richardson b Bhatia 32 (35b 1x4 0x6)

Rajasthan could have had another wicket but Faulkner drops Warner in the deep. SRH 82-2 in 13 overs.

Rajasthan find success as Bhatia gets Dhawan. He offers a simple catch to Richardson. SRH 77-2 in 11.3 overs.

Shikhar Dhawan c Richardson b Bhatia 38 (34b 3x4 1x6)

It's been a responsible innings from both Dhawan and Warner. The duo have put on 73 from 61 balls. Hyderabad can now look for the big ones on a frequent basis with nine wickets in hand. SRH 75-1 in 11 overs.

Dhawan on 30 while Warner on 21 as the duo share 59-run partnership. SRH 62-1 in 9 overs.

Runs coming in just singles. It was the same wicket earlier in the day when runs were scored at will, but it does not look to be easy at this hour. SRH 50-1 in 8 overs.

Hyderabad reach 44 for 1 in 7 overs.

Dhawan is dropped by Faulkner. A tough chance to grab when you are bowling. SRH 41-1 in 6 overs.

Run rate is just over six which is not good news for Hyderabad team. They need to get a big partnership with some powerful hitting. SRH 33-1 in 5 overs.

Dhawan gets his first boundary as he is slowling finding form. SRH 24-1 in 4 overs.

It's been a steady progress for Hyderabad so far. Dhawan spending time in the middle as he is hunting for his form. SRH 17-1 in 3 overs.

Early strike for Rajasthan. Finch offers a simple catch to Richardson at short covers. SRH: 2-0 in 0.5 overs.

Aaron Finch c Richardson b Kulkarni 2 (5b, 0x4, 0x6)

Aaron Finch and skipper Shikhar Dhawan open for Hyderabad. Dhawal Kulkarni begins proceedings for Rajasthan.

Playing XI

Hyderabad: Aaron Finch, Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, Y Venugopal Rao, Lokesh Rahul, Darren Sammy, Karn Sharma, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma.

Rajasthan: Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Samuel Samson, Stuart Binny, Brad Hodge, Abhishek Nayar, James Faulkner, Rajat Bhatia, Kane Richardson, Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Tambe.

PREVIEW

Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Watson said in a recent interview the bad apples have been removed from the team as they begin afresh against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 7 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Last year they were led by Rahul Dravid but as a mentor, Watson is confident the team can do wonders.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad are a strong side led by Shikhar Dhawan, Aaron Finch and David Warner and Darren Sammy. Among the bowlers, Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar complete a fine team.