IPL 2018, SRH vs KKR: Hits and Misses from the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knightriders match

It was a must-win game for Kolkata Knight Riders as a win would take them through to the playoffs otherwise they would’ve had to wait for other results to go in their favour.

And they produced a very good performance as the Dinesh Karthik-led side romped home with a five-wicket win and confirmed their playoff spot.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had won the toss and elected to bat first. SRH got off to an excellent start as the top three batsmen batted really well.

With SRH comfortably placed at 141/2 in 15 overs, they would’ve wanted to set a target of at least 190 but the KKR bowlers came back well and restricted SRH to 172 as the hosts lost seven wickets and scored just 31 runs in the last five overs.

In reply, KKR got off to a flying start, courtesy of Sunil Narine. He struck a 10-ball 29 and since then they looked comfortable. Chris Lynn scored a good half-century before Dinesh Karthik’s 26 took KKR home.

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#5 Hit: Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan continued his good form

Shikhar Dhawan started the tournament with a bang and one would’ve got the feeling that in the absence of David Warner, the Indian opener would shoulder the responsibility of scoring big.

However, he went through a run where he reached double figures just once in six innings (and that score was 11). In between this he was also injured and sat out for a game.

However, in the last few games, SRH have got a massive boost as Dhawan has roared back to form.

He scored a brilliant unbeaten 92 against DD in a chase of 188 and then scored a 79 against CSK before failing in the game against RCB.

In this game, he scored another half-century as he continued his good form. He struck five fours and one six in his 39-ball knock. He played normally and didn’t take undue risks and still scored a brisk pace.

Dhawan shared an excellent 79-run opening stand with Shreevats Goswami and gave SRH a good start.

But after the departure of the latter, he played second fiddle to Kane Williamson who was looking in ominous form. But despite all this, the 32-year-old opener scored his 32nd half-century of his IPL career and third in the last four innings.

#4 Miss: Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey has struggled at No. 4 for SRH

Manish Pandey has had an indifferent IPL so far. He’s largely struggled to get going especially at the death.

He has got starts but most have been run-a-ball or a little over run-a-ball and in most games he has looked quite scratchy. However, in the last game, he showed positive sign of returning to form as he scored a very good 38-ball 62.

But again in this game, he looked iffy in his 22-ball 25. He came into bat at the fall of Kane Williamson’s wicket (in the 13th over).

Pandey did score a couple of boundaries but couldn’t quite time the ball as well as he would’ve liked. He was once guilty of trying to be a little cheeky going for those ramp shots and cheeky paddles which didn’t quite help.

Thus, he scratched his way to 25 before he got out in the last over trying to hoick one over deep mid-wicket.

#3 Hit: Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna has impressed quite a lot in this season.

Prasidh Krishna was brought in as a replacement after Kamlesh Nagarkoti, pulled out due to an injury. However, despite being a little expensive Krishna has been impressive. He’s run in and hit the deck hard.

The Karnataka pacer has taken five wickets from four games (before today). In this game, he registered his best-ever T20 figures as he picked up 4/30 and helped KKR claw their way back into the game.

Prasidh came into bowl the second over of the game and was dispatched for a couple of boundaries by Dhawan.

He then didn’t bowl a single over until the 16th over. But he bowled three excellent at the death. He dismissed the in-form Shikhar Dhawan in his second over.

And then he bowled a superb final over where he picked up three wickets and game away just four runs which helped KKR restrict SRH to under 180.

#2 Miss: Andre Russell

Andre Russell just scored four in this game

Andre Russell has been in patchy form this season. He’s had some brilliant games but has also disappointed in some games, especially with the bat. But whenever he delivers, he has a big impact on the game.

With the ball, he conceded 16 runs (plus four byes) in his first over, but came back well at the death and finished with figures of 1/31 and was one of the most expensive KKR bowlers today.

However, he failed to stand up in this game as he was expensive with the ball and also failed to finish off the game with the bat.

Russell came into bat at No. 5 in the 17th over. KKR still needed 24 runs off 21 deliveries but the West Indian all-rounder failed to bat through.

#1 Hit: Chris Lynn

Chris Lynn has played very well in this season, taking a lot more responsibility

Chris Lynn has been quite uncharacteristic in this IPL. He’s curbed his natural instincts and has dug deep.

He’s tried to be a touch watchful at the start and has looked to bat deep. And, he has been quite successful as he is KKR’s second highest run-getter.

In this game, Lynn started with a bang, hitting Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a couple of boundaries in the first over before launching a four and a six off Siddarth Kaul.

But with his opening partner Sunil Narine going well at the other end, he was happy to bid his time and rotate the strike.

Even after Narine’s dismissal, the Queenslander continued to turn the strike over and when there was a bad ball, he punished it and took full advantage.

After racing off to 27 off 18 balls, Lynn got to fifty in 36 deliveries. However, he got out soon after reaching the milestone.

But Lynn had batted really well and it was another uncharacteristic but effective knock from the Australian.

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