David Warner lauded for playing Wriddhiman Saha as Hyderabad enter Dream11 IPL playoffs

David Warner-led Hyderabad outfit secured a commanding 10-wicket win over Dream11 IPL points table-toppers Mumbai on Tuesday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. In doing so, Men in Orange ended up at third place on  Dream11 IPL points table and also booked ir place in Dream11 IPL 2020 playoffs.

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Twitterati laud David Warner and co. for replacing Jonny Bairstow with Wriddhiman Saha

Hyderabad didn't really perform consistently in first 11 matches, having won four and lost seven. Besides ir opening pair of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, team didn't look much of a threat due to a vulnerable middle order and absence of ir key pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was ruled out of tournament due to an injury. team needed some serious changes in order to strengn ir bowling attack and provide depth in batting at same time.

Hyderabad think tank sprung a surprise by leaving out Jonny Bairstow to make way for Wriddhiman Saha in ir 12th match against Delhi. Considering form that Bairstow was in, this was a huge gamble by Hyderabad franchise. gamble paid off successfully as Saha grabbed his opportunity with both hands and delivered a match-winning performance by scoring a 45-ball 87 as Hyderabad defeated Delhi by a whopping 88 runs.

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Warner decided to go ahead with Saha in ir 13th match against Bangalore and Saha delivered by top-scoring (39 off 32 balls) to guide his side to a five-wicket win. On Tuesday, Saha was among runs once again against Mumbai as he scored an unbeaten 58 off 45 balls alongside Warner who scored 85* off 58 balls to guide ir team to a stunning ten-wicket win. 

Hyderabad needed three consecutive wins in ir last three matches against arguably top three teams of ongoing Dream11 IPL (Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai). It looked like 2016 champions' campaign was all but over. However, Warner's side did unthinkable as y mand to win all three matches to grant mselves a playoffs berth and one of major reasons behind ir turnaround was bold decision to leave out Bairstow for Saha.

After ir win over Mumbai which helped m qualify for Dream11 IPL 2020 playoffs, netizens took to Twitter and lauded David Warner and Hyderabad team manment for taking such a brave decision during a crucial st of tournament, considering team balance in mind, which also ensured that Hyderabad were able to play Jason Holder, an extra pacer with considerable international cricket and leadership experience both. Several reactions poured in as fans heaped praise on Warner and co. Let's take a look at a few reactions.

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David Warner's men will w lock horns with Virat Kohli's Bangalore in Eliminator on Friday, vember 6 in Abu Dhabi. Interestingly, se two teams had last met in playoffs when  two competed in IPL 2016 final. Back n, it was Hyderabad who emerged victorious by lifting trophy. Virat Kohli's side has a great opportunity to avenge that defeat.

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SOURCE: IPL INSTAGRAM