Ever wondered how a team looks so good on paper but fails to perform every single time at the centre stage? Yes, we’re talking about Kings XI Punjab as they’ve been literally thumped by the Sunrisers Hyderabad side very convincingly in Dubai.
Jonny Bairstow scored a sizzling 97 in the first innings which helped Sunrisers Hyderabad reach a total of 201 at the end of 20 overs. At the other end, Kings XI Punjab were victims of some sublime piece of fielding as they were restricted to a mere 132.
It all started at the toss as Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Batting first Sunrisers Hyderabad had a phenomenal start as the openers, Jonny Bairstow and David Warner put up a 160 run partnership.
The partnership was broken by a brilliant over by Ravi Bishnoi as he picked up both Bairstow and Warner’s wicket in the same over. After which the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting collapsed as they ended up with 201 runs on the board. SRH lost six wickets for 41 runs in the last five overs.
Kings XI Punjab Lose Five Out Of 6 Matches
In the aftermath, Kings XI Punjab batsmen had a horrendous start as both Mayank Agarwal and Kl Rahul were dismissed very early on in the innings. There was an early blitz by Nicholas Pooran as he literally smashed Abdul Samad for 28 runs in one over, at that point it looked like Kings XI Punjab might have just got back in the game as Pooran was partnered by Glenn Maxwell.
But again Maxwell was the victim of a sublime piece of fielding as the all-rounder from Australia failed to score runs yet again. In the end, it was just about time as Nicholas Pooran ran out of partners as he lost his wicket in the end stages of the game.
The Partnership With Warner Was The Key Tonight: Jonny Bairstow
The man of the match of today’s game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab was Jonny Bairstow was his stellar knock of 97 runs. At the post-match presentation, Jonny Bairstow said that consistency is the key to his performance.
Moreover, he felt the partnership with David Warner was the key in Sunrisers Hyderabad posting such a huge total on the board.
“Very pleased. Consistency is the key. The partnership at the top was the key tonight. He’s (Warner) a good fun, we know what a quality batter he is. I am happy with the way I am striking. The temperature is different, the dimensions and pitches are different too. The guys held the nerve. (On keeping to Rashid Khan) It’s great fun, tricky at times,” Jonny Bairstow said.Â
