NEW DELHI, May 2: Jos Buttler announced his return to form with belligerent maiden T20 hundred as Rajasthan Royals made a mincemeat of an out-of-sorts SunRisers Hyderabad, winning Sunday’s IPL encounter by a whopping 55-run margin.
Opening the innings, Buttler smashed a breath-taking 124 off 64 balls while Sanju Samson was effective in his 48 off 33 deliveries which powered Rajasthan to a commanding 220 for three.
Even a change in captaincy couldn’t bring in luck for SRH as they could manage only 165 for eight in their 20 overs.
Chris Morris and Mustafizur Rahman did the bulk of the work with the ball while Kartik Tyagi and Rahul Twetia picked a wicket apiece.
With the win, the Royals moved up to fifth spot while SRH continued to stay at the bottom, having won only one match all season.
Looking to register their second win of the season, SRH raced to 57 for no loss in the first six overs.
However, Bangladesh pacer Rahman struck right after the first strategic time out, getting rid of Manish Pandey. The dangerous Jonny Bairstow and Vijay Shankar soon followed.
With the pressure mounting, skipper Kane Williamson went for the big shot only to be caught at deep midwicket by Morris off Tyagi as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
Mohammad Nabi injected some hope in the SRH camp, as he smashed Tewatia for two sixes in the 14th over. However, the Afghan was back in the dug out after a quick cameo.
With 91 needed in the last five overs the lower and middle order struggled.
In the end the, top heavy SRH did not have enough firepower to pull off the mammoth chase.
SRH were guilty of being sloppy in the field, dropping catches and missing run outs.
Williamson said that his side will have lengthy discussions on including David Warner back in the playing XI going ahead.
“Fine margins and this game can change quickly. Exceptional batting from Rajasthan, but we need to build on a few things. A number of leaders in the group and it is important we stay right. He is a world-class player and I am sure a number of conversations will be had regarding having Warner back in the playing XI,” he added.
Warner is “shocked and disappointed” after being dropped from the SunRisers Hyderabad playing XI but team’s Director of Cricket Tom Moody defended the “hard call”, saying someone had to miss out and it was Warner. (Agencies)
