IPL 2018: SRH vs RR- 4 Masterstrokes during the encounter

It was the third match day in the league that saw Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals lock horns in their opening encounter in Hyderabad. Put into bat by Sunrisers, Rajasthan failed miserably as the wickets continued to fell for them at constant intervals as they eventually crumbled at 125 in their 20 overs.

Chasing merely 126, Hyderabad didn't start well but after Saha's departure in the second over, the duo of Dhawan and Williamson steadied the ship to help them register their maiden win. Dhawan's fiery start at the top and Kane's supporting role paved the way for an easy win with 9 wickets remaining.

Let us now take a look at 4 masterstrokes that helped Sunrisers Hyderabad rout Rajasthan Royals to put their first points on board:

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#1. Saving Rashid against Stokes

Sunrisers' captain came up with a unique strategy as he saved Rashid Khan for the foreign batsmen to follow later in the lineup for Rajasthan. The skipper knew his ability to bowl quick in the air which makes it difficult to read for the overseas batsmen with the likes of Stokes and Butler.

Also, seeing the past record of the leggie against the English southpaw, Kane brought Rashid late in the innings as soon as Stokes arrived at the crease. Things went as per the plan as Stokes looked in all discomforts as he could barely rotate the strike against Rashid. Eventually, it was Stanlake, who got the benefit of the pressure created by Rashid, to scalp Stokes' wicket.

#2. Finishing Stanlake's spell quickly

Debuting in the IPL, Billy Stanlake turned out to be impressive in his first outing as he finished with a spell of 1/29. The debutant finished his quota in the 11th over itself. A move that surprised one and all but it was some effective planning from the skipper as he persisted with the lanky Australian pacer.

Stanlake was in the middle of a very good spell as the run-making was made difficult for the opposition. As a result, he even bagged the crucial wicket of Ben Stokes at the ultimate delivery of his spell that choked the visitors completely, making it impossible to up the ante and leaving the home side to chase 126 in their 20 overs.

#3 Williamson's field setting throughout the innings

After the ban of David Warner, the onus was on Kane Williamson to lead the side when he was appointed as the skipper in Warner's absence. In his first match, the New Zealand skipper was bang on with his field placements and some timely bowling changes.

Be it his tactical use of Rashid or the effective field placements in the powerplay overs, Kane was quite successful. He was ably supported by his resources as the bowlers executed the plans as per strategies. It was delighted camp as there couldn’t have been a better way to start off the tournament.

#4 Shikhar's aggressive approach at the start

Chasing a paltry 126, and opening the batting with Wriddhiman Saha, Shikhar started well as he took on the opposition bowlers. Being a small target in the reckoning, his approach at the start was much aggressive and went onto to play the aggressor's role after the early departure of Saha. The southpaw carried on his sublime form as he paved his way through to a stupendous knock of 77 from just 57 deliveries.

He was ably supported by Kane, who came into bat at the fall of Saha's wicket. The duo took the team home as they cruised to victory with 9 wickets to spare. Dhawan, for his knock, was even adjudged as the Man of the match. He blazed 13 fours and a Six to get the Super Striker award in his first exploit in the league.