In the 2015 IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad had been denied a place in the playoff stages by a matter of a few inches, courtesy of an unbelievable fielding error by captain David Warner. On the penultimate ball of the penultimate match of the season, against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Warner had caught Virat Kohli near the boundary ropes, only for his feet to touch the ropes as a result of a premature celebration. SRH had missed out on a spot in the top 4 by 2 points, pipped by RCB.
During this Friday’s match between SRH and Delhi Daredevils, a curious coincidence took place. It was again the penultimate match of the season, and it was captain David Warner again who committed an error that lost them the match. As the captain and the whole SRH team will be hoping, that is where the similarities end with last year.
“Our fielding was quite sloppy, I’m responsible for that. I dropped a sitter. Those chances can make you pay,” Warner said after the match. He would know!
DD’s hero of the day was Karun Nair, whose 59-ball 83 guided the team to a last-ball victory. The last ball of the day was hit past Warner at mid-on, but the Australian had been given a much easier chance before that to shut out Delhi from the game.
As it would turn out, Warner’s gaffe would prove to be a deciding one. Needing 54 from 34, Nair was on 51 when he skied a delivery into what should have been the grateful hands of Warner at long-on, but miraculously he spilled it.
The bowler Barinder Sran had put his hands up in readiness for celebration, but was devastated by Warner’s error. The captain himself was seen holding his head in his hands in despair before the next delivery.
Sunrisers would have ensured their qualification to the playoffs had they managed to win Friday’s match, and now need to win against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday to ensure that last year’s misfortune does not visit them again. Like last year, SRH have been well placed to qualify for most of 2016’s league phase, but have faced a hiccup towards the very end.
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