Published 21:26 IST, October 27th 2020
Warner begins, Saha continues & Pandey ends: Hyderabad's slog fest against Delhi
Facing second-placed Delhi in a do-or-die match, Hyderabad batsmen came out determined and a slight change in their top order as Saha replaced Johnny Bairstow
Facing second-placed Delhi in a do-or-die match, Hyderabad batsmen came out determined and a slight change in their top order as Wriddhiman Saha replaced Johnny Bairstow. The change worked wonders as Warner & Saha wrecked carnage upon the Delhi pace-attack upfront smacking them across the park. The duo stitched a massive 100 run partnership before skipper David Warner was dismissed by Ravi Ashwin.
As Warner took on the bowlers from the end, Saha continued to wreak havoc from the other end leaving no space for the Delhi bowlers to breathe. Considered as one of the best bowling units in the IPL 2020, Delhi had no answers as Hyderabad openers continued their blitzkrieg. David Warner notched up a quickfire fifty and went on to smash 66 runs off 34 balls with the help of 8 fours and 2 sixes.
Rabada goes wicketless
As Ravi Ashwin sent back dangerous David Warner and Hyderabad hoped to breathe relief, Saha continued with the slogfest putting on a stunning display of clean hitting. Wriddhiman Saha missed out on a well-deserved century merely by 13 runs as he fell to Anrich Nortje. However, he had inflicted enough damage as he smashed 87 runs at a strike rate of 193.33 which had already touched 200 during his innings. The wicketkeeper hammered 12 fours and 2 maximums.
After Warner and Saha's departure, Manish Pandey came in to hammer the final nail in the coffin. The number three batsman played a perfect cameo to propel Hyderabad to 200. Pandey's blitz comprised of four fours and one maximum as he smashed 44 runs in all. The trio powered Hyderabad to 219 runs at the end of 20 overs. Such was the attack that in-form Kagiso Rabada went wicketless for the first time in 25 IPL matches and gave away 54 runs in the course.
Here's how netizens reacted to Hyderabad's slog fest vs Delhi:
With a formidable bowling unit, Hyderabad will be hoping to defend the total and grab the much-needed two points. Hyderabad will have to win the match at any costs so as to keep their hopes of qualifying alive. Delhi on the other hand, would be hoping to get a win under their belt to seal their spot in the qualifiers.
Updated 21:26 IST, October 27th 2020