IPL 2019 | Meme Report - Sanju Samson’s efforts help Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets

04/28/2019

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After a solid bowling effort which restricted Sunrisers Hyderabad to a par total of 160 on a batting-friendly surface, Sanju Samson ensured that the team romped home on a canter. The Royals win also helped Chennai Super Kings qualify for the play-offs while ensuring that the hosts stay afloat.

After winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals opted to bowl first, inviting David Warner to open alongside Kane Williamson thanks to Jonny Bairstow’s departure for the England camp. However, the beginning of the action started in a rather unlikely manner as Liam Livingstone fired a needless throw to ensure that Sunrisers Hyderabad got five runs for no reason at all.

While the things seemed to be fine for Sunrisers after that overthrow, Kane Williamson became the victim of a Shreyas Gopal googly as the New Zealander failed to pick up the wrong’ un and stayed rooted to the crease while trying to read it off the surface. However, Warner found a perfect ally in the form of Manish Pandey, who returned to form against Chennai Super Kings, rotated strike really well to take the team to 86/1 in 10 overs.

The most satisfying thing for Sunrisers Hyderabad was the return of form of Manish Pandey, who has been hot and cold since the last season. The 83-run knock against Chennai Super Kings - an innings that was termed as fluke by many, infused confidence. However, by negotiating the spinners easily, the Karnataka batsman completed his half century.

However, the real surprise was the fact that David Warner negotiated the middle overs and scored 37 runs without even scoring a boundary. It was the highest for any batsman in the Indian Premier League without a boundary and as soon as the Australian was dismissed by Oshane Thomas, the run-rate took a little boost thanks to Pandey’s pyrotechnics as SRH reached 113/2 in 14 overs.

After 14 overs, Rajasthan Royals bowlers suddenly pull up the strings and dismissed one batsman after another. However, the biggest confusion of the evening came when Sanju Samson dismissed Manish Pandey twice on the same delivery. The umpire went upstairs to check if it was a catch or stumping, and he ruled it as caught behind. After Pandey’s dismissal, wickets started falling like a pack of cards as the team eventually folded for 160.

Ajinkya Rahane partnered Liam Livingstone to open this time, and the duo decided to have a cautious start to the inning in the first couple of overs. They slowly got off the blocks and with a 20-run sixth over, they ensured that the team reached a comfortable score of 60 runs in six overs.

After that huge over against Siddarth Kaul, Rajasthan Royals again went into the sluggish mode and the next three overs resulted in only 18 runs. The pressure exerted got the better of Liam Livingstone, as on the first ball of the 10th over, he was undone by a Rashid Khan leg-break and managed to get an inside-edge which was taken smartly by Wriddhiman Saha and the team could reach 79-1 in 10 overs.

Two overs after Livingstone’s dismissal, Rahane also fell to another spinner, Shakib al Hasan, after he wanted to drive and gave himself some room but couldn't open the face enough while contact. Samson, however, was determined at the other end and without taking much risk, the Indian guided the Royals to 132/2 in 15 overs.

Meanwhile, Ashton Turner came out to bat and the history of three consecutive golden ducks threatening him big-time. He desperately needed that first run and when that happened, entire dug-out came to a standstill. He also gave a minute smile to celebrate the end of his consecutive five-match duck in T20s. By then, the game was already in the Royals kitty and Samson hit a four against Shakib to help Royals stay afloat in the tournament while ensuring that Chennai Super Kings qualify for the play-offs.

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