IPL 2018, RR vs SRH: Hits and Misses

The seamless strength of the SRH bowling attack was on display once again at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, as Kane Williamson and his men powered to an 11-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday (April 29).

Such is their faith in their bowling line-up, that Williamson chose to bat first after winning the toss for the afternoon game of the day. His side put up a total of 151 at the end of the 20 overs, which was below par on the high-scoring surface in Rajasthan.

However, as it has been on multiple occasions in this tournament, the first-innings effort by the SRH batsmen was enough for their bowlers to pull a rabbit out of the hat in the chase. Here are the hits and misses from the game.

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#5 Hit: Kane Williamson

Not only has Kane Williamson been one of the best leaders in the tournament so far, but he has also had a terrific run with the bat. The Kiwi captain has truly been exceptional for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this season, and has not let them feel the absence of a big player like David Warner.

Today, the right-hander was the anchor of the SRH innings once again, as he held on to one end and scored a brilliant half century for his side. He made 63 runs off just 43 deliveries in a knock that comprised of seven boundaries and two massive sixes.

He was finally dismissed by Ish Sodhi in the 15th over of the innings.

#4 Miss: Ben Stokes

Is it time to drop him?

The English all-rounder went for big bucks in the auction before the tournament and was the highest earning player in the pool. However, he hasn't lived up to the hype around his name yet, and has been off-colour with the bat and the ball throughout the tournament.

Against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he couldn't make an impact with the ball. He bowled three overs in the first innings, giving away 20 runs, but did not pick up any wickets.

His effort with the bat was even worse on the day, as he was dismissed for a duck against Yusuf Pathan, who was bowling for the first time this season.

It has been a disappointing series of performances from Stokes. Should Royals think of dropping him for their next fixture?

#3 Hit: Hyderabad bowlers

The best bowling unit in the tournament, by a long margin!

When a team defends totals of 151, 132, and 118 in a span of days, the pedigree and passion of their bowling attack is on display for everyone to see. Despite losing Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Billy Stanlake to injury in all the three games, these seamers and spinners have bowled their heart out on the pitch, but have also used their minds to bamboozle the opposition batsmen.

It would be unfair to pick and choose just one name from such a brilliant and consistent bowling attack. Hence, Sandeep Sharma, Shakib Al Hasan, Basil Thampi, Siddharth Kaul, Rashid Khan, and even Yusuf Pathan, are all deserving hits for the day!

#2 Miss: Jos Buttler

Buttler hasn't stepped up at all this season

The English wicket-keeper has not made even one significant contribution for the Royals this year, and his miserable run in the tournament extended itself yet again against the Sunrisers in Jaipur.

Once Stokes was dismissed for a duck, it was absolutely essential for a swashbuckling hitter like Buttler to take the attack to the opposition and more than that, stay put in the middle with his captain.

However, his stay at the crease lasted for just 11 deliveries, as he fell to Williamson's ploy of taking pace away from the ball. He was dismissed against the wrist spin of Rashid Khan, after making a meager contribution of just ten runs to the RR total.

#1 Hit: The fielding from SRH

The fielders had the back of their bowlers continuously

While Rajasthan Royals dropped a catch and fell to certain misfields in the first innings of the game, the SRH fielding unit was at the top of its game during the chase.

The visitors' fielding in the last five overs, especially, was special, efficient, and error-free throughout the 30 deliveries that were bowled by their team.

First, it was Manish Pandey who saved a certain six from Lomror at long off. Then, it was Shakib Al Hasan who did not let Rahane score a boundary off a square cut in the second last over of the game.

Thereafter, the overall fielding from the Men in Orange was exceptional in the last over of the game, despite them having a cushion of defending 21 runs to defend of the six deliveries. They dived around in the deep, denied every boundary, and were live wires in the 30-yard circle as well.

In T20 cricket, fielding is just as important as the other two aspects of the game, and SRH proved that agility and vigilance in the field can win you matches in this format.