Dream 11 IPL 2020 40th Match.
Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) VS Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Played at DSC Dubai on 22 October 2020
Brief Scorecard:
SRH 156/2 in 18.1 Overs (MK Pandey 83*, V Shankar 52*, JC Archer 2/21) beat RR 154/6 (SV Sampson 36, BA Stokes 30, N Parag 20, RV Uthappa 19, SPD Smith 19, JC Archer 19*, JO Holder 3/33, V Shankar 1/15, Rashid Khan 1/20,) by 8 wickets.
Player of The Match: Manish Pandey
A spectacular unbeaten partnership of 140 in 97 deliveries between two brilliant Indian batsmen Manish Pandey (83* in 47 balls) and Vijay Shankar (52* in 51) led Sun Risers Hyderabad cruise to a comfortable 8 wickets victory over another potential contestant Rajasthan Royals. Batting first on a slow gripping wicket where ball was stopping RR had many batsmen taking start but failing to kick on. 1554/6 they scored was perhaps 25 -30 runs too less to be competitive. Yet JC Archer bowling fast and furious created an impact removing Warner and Barstow early. But as mentioned above Manish and Shankar producing gem of a partnership led SRH reaching 156 /2 and wining. This win earned them an even chance of making a dash at the last minute into the knock out round. With 4 matches still to be played they can still make it if they can create a winning momentum. On the other hand, this loss has made that task for RR more difficult.
It was a very important match for both the team in quest for a place into top four. A win of Rajasthan would have placed them in a comfortable position for advancing. On the other hand, this win has already created opportunity for SRH. Batting first RR struggled all the way for coming to term with the slow gripping wicket. West Indian captain Jason Holder thrives on such a wicket with his accuracy. He delivered on the day appearing for the first time this year for SRH. Uthappa and Stokes were settling into a good opening partnership till Uthappa ran himself out for 19. A 56 runs second wicket partnership between two English players Stokes (30) and Buttler (36) appeared to set the foundation. But both got out after getting set. Smith (19) and Parag (20) got the start but could not get going. Some hefty blows by Archer (unbeaten 16 of 7 balls) took the score past 150 to 154/6 which appeared at least 25 runs short of a competitive target. Holder taking 3 for 33 was the peak of the bowlers. Vijay Shankar (1/15) and Rashid Khan (1/20) also bowled tight.
Archer struck two early blows removing Warner and Bairstow reducing SRH to 16/2. Smith could have let Archer going in an effort to try and remove Pandey. But he did not. Pandey also looked in vintage touch. He played some scintillating strokes. Wicket also eased a lot. Dew making the ball wet created challenge for the bowlers. Pandey found a very enterprising partner in Shankar. The two young Indians produced the partnership of the tournament. Pandey kept on playing aggressive strokes all around the wicket. Shankar held the fort for a while before himself unleashing. 140 runs were added in the unfinished 3rd wicket partnership in 97 deliveries as SRH cruised to 156/2 in 18.1 overs winning the match huge and handsome by 8 wickets. Pandey dazzled scoring unbeaten 85 in 47 deliveries striking 8 sixes and 4 fours. His mate Shankar playing second fiddle scored unbeaten 52 in 51 deliveries. Even Archer (2/21) coming at later stage could not stop the flamboyant partners in belligerent mood. SRH with 8 points from 10 matches is now positioned just below the top four. For a place they need winning at least 3 of the 4 remaining matches. The task of RR has become extremely difficult.
BDST: 1340 HRS, OCT 23, 2020
AP
