Sunrisers Hyderabad yet again defended a low score with aplomb and in the process carved out a five-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore. After being bowled out for 146, the Sunrisers looked in trouble as the RCB skipper Virat Kohli threatened to run away with the game. The skipper hammered two fours and a six off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan to take his side to 47 for one in the fifth over. However, the Bangladesh bowler had the last laugh as he had Kohli (39) caught by Yusuf Pathan. After Kohli's departure RCB lost the plot completely. The batsmen looked clueless against leggie Rashid Khan. AB de Villiers (5) was castled by Rashid and Moeen Ali (10) was caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha of Siddharth Kaul RCB were staring down the barrel. Mandeep Singh (21no) and Colin de Grandhomme (33) kept RCB in the hunt with a 57-run sixth wicket stand but SRH bowlers managed to prevent the big hits. RCB ended up with 141for six. Earlier, Sunrisers skipper Kane Williamson (56) yet again carried the innings with his fifth half-century of the season.
Hardik, Surya star in MI win over KKR
Defending champions Mumbai Indians walked away with another win over Kolkata Knight Riders and keep alive their playoff hopes. The 181 proved too much for Knight Riders as they could manage just 168-6, giving the hosts a win of 13 runs and two points. Mumbai openers Suryakumar Yadav (59) and Ewin Lewis (43) gave them a fantastic start. When skipper Rohit Sharma departed Mumbai Indians were 106 for two. Haridik Pandya (35*), Krunal Pandya (14) and JP Duminy (13*) played their parts to ensure Mumbai reached a competitive total.
Kings slay Royals
Karnataka batsman KL Rahul guided to a six-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab after they lost their top four batsmen for 87. When Kings XI required 52 off 31 balls, Rahul guided Jaydev Unadkat towards point and Sanju Samson took a one-handed blinder. The catch was referred to the television umpire. Once Rahul (84) was declared not out, his body language changed and he looked even more determined. Rahul slogged when others gifted their wickets away and guided KXIP to a six-wicket win at Holkar Stadium as they chased the target of 153 with ten balls remaining.
Daredevils let it slip
Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down 62 runs from the last 36 deliveries, 28 from 12 and 14 from the last over. Solid foundation, skipper Kane Williamson’s calm influence and Yusuf Pathan’s pyrotechnics ensured the hosts reached 164 for three to complete a seven-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils. The first 10 and the last 10 overs yielded 82 each for SRH, a contrast to Delhi’s 163 for five that saw 95 in the first 10 and 68 in the second half. Prithvi Shaw put Delhi on a sound footing after Glenn Maxwell, promoted to open the innings, was run out by Sandeep Sharma while backing up too far at the non-striker’s end. Now they have very little chance to make it to the playoff stage.
CSK spinners strangle RCB
Led by Ravindra Jadeja (3-18) and Harbhajan Singh (2-22), Chennai Super Kings restricted a powerful Royal Challengers Bangalore batting unit to a score of 127/9 before notching up a six-wicket win. The pitch looked a lot drier than the previous days and the ball, too, was stopping a bit. The run chase was not without difficulty, but an ice-cool M S Dhoni (31 not out) and Dwayne Bravo (14 not out) kept their composure at the end to eventually seal victory. For RCB, the loss means that they will have to win each of their remaining five matches to entertain hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.
KKR keep playoff hopes alive
Kolkata Knight Riders keep their playoff hopes alive by registering a six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings. CSK are now second on the table with 12 points from nine matches while KKR rose to third spot with 10 points from same number of matches. Once again, KKR spin trio of Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav did a fine job and were largely instrumental in restricting CSK’s big hitters to 177 for five. Dinesh Karthik won the toss and opted to chase. KKR’s faith in youngsters paid dividends as young Shubman Gill scored 86 runs in 36 balls in company with Karthik that sealed the issue for the hosts.
Delhi Daredevils win thriller
Delhi Daredevils scored a four-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (D/L method) under rain truncated match and keep their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive. Since the start was delayed due to rain the match was reduced to 18 overs each. Delhi made 196/6, five balls short of their tally of 18 overs. While chasing a revised target of 151 in 12 overs, Rajasthan Royals managed 146/5 in the allotted overs.
RCB stay alive with 14-run win over Mumbai
Playing their penultimate match at home, Royal Challengers Bangalore under Virat Kohli's leadership ended their five-match losing streak against Mumbai Indians with a much-needed win. Defending 167, the home team bowlers finally delivered as Mumbai fell short by 14 runs and finished their innings at 153/7. At 4/47 and their main batsmen back in the dugout, it was a tough task for Mumbai to cross 153. Pandya brothers - Hardik (59) and Krunal (23) - took the fight to the opposition with their 39-ball-56 stand, but the latter’s dismissal in the penultimate over ended their hopes.
