There were plenty of key moments won by Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals in the latter's return to the league after serving a two-year ban, particularly on the field. Run-outs, such as that of a key batsman like the BBL's highest run-getter D'Arcy Short and difficult catches are testimonies to this.

However, most importantly, the straight-line shackles created by Siddarth Kaul and Shakib al Hasan were something that the Royals batsmen couldn't break free from. Kaul was relentlessly accurate in bowling a fuller length, combined with a much straighter line compared to other bowlers of the team. The wicket also demanded the bowlers to make significant adaptations to it. The ball under lights was stopping on the batsmen, which curtailed free-flowing shots and so bowling stump-to-stump became a threat in itself. Kaul exploited that chink in Royals' armour and decided not to deviate from the line. 

For all the promise that Sanju Samson has shown since his Under-19 appearance in 2012, he has been a stunning paradox in Indian cricket. Although disciplinary issues and lack of consistency in the domestic circuit resulted in his downfall as a cricketer, he had always been rated highly by many experts. And from that perspective, watching Samson struggle against Group C bowlers in the Ranji Trophy was a shame and it needed a moment of awakening for the youngster to realise what he was missing.