IPL 2020 Highlights, RR vs SRH Match, Full Cricket Score: Pandey, Shankar slam fifties as Sunrisers cruise to 8-wicket win

Pandey: Enough talks were happening around the middle order, and high time for them to perform. Just trying to free my mind, I had too many thoughts before batting throughout the season. Really happy that it came off today. We had the opportunity to try and stay on and win the game for SRH, and I’m happy we were able to do it. Our plan was to see Jofra off, and if we did that, then we knew we had two leggies and a couple of Indian fast bowlers to collect runs off. I thought if I just keep my shape on and use the powerplay, I knew we should be able to win this. (On Shankar) He was also long due to have a good performance. Today he stepped up, batting at No 4, and I’m happy for him. Trying to take the positives from this match and will try to play the remainder of the tournament the same way.

Manish Pandey is the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 83!

David Warner, SRH skipper says: It was an all-round performance. It started well at the toss. It’s the kind of game we have been asking for and it is nice to see two guys take us through. Jason Holder is an all-round package too, and a great inclusion to our team. Great to show everyone that we do have a middle order. I am really happy for both of them (Pandey and Shankar) because they have never got enough opportunities to bat.

“I thought we started really well, Jofra taking those two big wickets, and then we just couldn’t press the pedal. There was a fair bit of dew tonight, and Manish played a smart innings. Consulted a few boys there and talked about it, and in hindsight probably would’ve gone for it. It was on my mind, but not tonight. Was quite slow and stoppy in the first innings. Wicket definitely got better, but we obviously needed more runs in the first innings. There certainly are no easy wins in this tournament, and unfortunately we haven’t been able to put back-to-back wins. All we can control is to just keep winning, and that’s our job now,” says Steve Smith in a post-match interview.

SRH win by 8 wickets

A very complete performance this by SRH. The Orange Army, riding on Manish Pandey’s 47-ball 83, canter to an eight-wicket win. They earn crucial two points and haven’t done their NRR any harm either.

After 19 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 156/2 ( Manish Pandey 83 , Vijay Shankar 52)

That’s that, then. Short from Tyagi and Vijay Shankar pulls this to the fence. The chase is done and Shankar brings up his fifty too. SRH win by 8 wickets. Proper hammering.

After 18 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 152/2 ( Manish Pandey 83 , Vijay Shankar 48)

15 runs needed as Stokes runs in for the 18th over. SRH should look to end this quickly and improve their NRR. And almost on cue, Pandey nails a gorgeous six over midwicket. Memorable innings this, from Pandey.

Manish Pandey is in the zone! Overpitched on leg stump from Stokes and Pandey makes some room and flicks it over deep midwicket.

After 17 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 140/2 ( Manish Pandey 76 , Vijay Shankar 46)

24 needed from 24 as SRH look set to break their chasing jinx that has stuck with them in IPL 2020. Kartik Tyagi returns; he has had a horrible two overs. Starts with a full toss to Shankar who plays it to mid-off for a single. This has been a very clinical chase from SRH, who will be over the moon with Pandey’s form. Meanwhile, he bowls one in the arc again and Pandey coolly lifts him over long-on for another six.

Overpitched from Kartik and Manish Pandey lifts him over long-on.

After 16 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 131/2 ( Manish Pandey 69 , Vijay Shankar 44)

What an eventful over this from Archer. Starts with three boundaries to Vijay Shankar, each of them lovely to watch and hit straight. Follows it with two bouncers that Shankar tries to ramp but doesn’t connect. A single to end the over.

Three in a row from Shankar. Slower and pitched up, and Shankar skims this straight over his head.

147 kmph, banged in short from Archer and Shankar nails a pull over mid-on.

Pitched up from Archer and Vijay Shankar eases into a lofted drive over mid off.

Century stands for Sunrisers against Royals in IPL:

Shikhar Dhawan/Kane Williamson, 2nd wicket, Hyderabad, 2018
David Warner/Jonny Bairstow, Opening, Hyderabad, 2019
Manish Pandey/Vijay Shankar, Dubai, 2020*

After 15 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 118/2 ( Manish Pandey 69 , Vijay Shankar 31)

42 needed from 36 balls as Tewatia ambles in. These two are experts against spin, and with the asking rate not being a problem, I don’t see Tewatia causing them any trouble. 11-run partnership comes about through proper cricketing shots. A case study in building an alliance, this.

After 14 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 113/2 ( Manish Pandey 67 , Vijay Shankar 28)

Gopal into his final over, and he is expertly milked around. This has been a toothless bowling performance from RR, barring Archer. It is SRH’s game to lose now.

After 13 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 108/2 ( Manish Pandey 66 , Vijay Shankar 24)

Tewatia continues, and they milk him comfortably to bring up SRH’s 100. This is getting way too comfortable for them. Barring Archer, RR don’t seem to have a wicket-taking option. Pandey ends the over with a straight six. What an innings this!

Tossed up from Tewatia, and Manish Pandey hops out and deposits him dead straight. Excellent footwork.

After 12 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 97/2 ( Manish Pandey 59 , Vijay Shankar 20)

Archer returns, finally, and puts the breaks straightaway. Just one run from his first five balls, one of which may have kept slightly low. Well negotiated there by Shankar; that was bowled at 150 kmph. Attempts a bouncer on the last ball and that is deemed too high. Responds with a 145 kmph short delivery at Shankar’s midriff who plays it well to leg-side for a single. Just three runs from that tight over.

After 11 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 94/2 ( Manish Pandey 58 , Vijay Shankar 19)

Gopal continues and they loot 15 from this one. Two of the most gorgeous off-drives you may see against a spinner coming off Vijay Shankar’s blade there.

Copy-paste stuff this. Gopal repeats the bowl, and Shankar repeats the shot, with a touch of flamboyance to boot.

Vijay Shankar gets into the act. Width and loop from Gopal, and Shankar lifts it over covers.

Pandey jumps out and hits this loopy ball from Gopal dead straight. All along the ground that went.

After 10 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 79/2 ( Manish Pandey 52 , Vijay Shankar 10)

Tewatia continues. RR need a wicket soon now, and I don’t think there’s a better option than Archer to do that. While Pandey is going at a strike rate of 170-plus, Vijay Shankar has taken 18 balls for his 10 runs. We saw Stokes’ struggles accounting for Samson and Stokes himself in the first innings. For now, all’s well with the chase.

Manish Pandey has played a little gem here. Takes just 28 balls to record this very important half-century. Three fours and five huge sixes there.

After 9 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 76/2 ( Manish Pandey 50 , Vijay Shankar 9)

Gopal to continue. Starts with a full one to Shankar who plays it to long on for a single. A bit short and drifting in from Gopal as this one hits Pandey’s pad first. They go upstairs but the impact is outside off. Pandey responds by jumping down the track next ball, but no runs there. he is not going to stay put for long though, does Pandey. Gopal drops short and Pandey pulls him into the stands. A single next ball brings up his fifty, off just 28 balls. Five sixes in that already. What an innings this has turned out to be.

Manish Pandey with a stunning pull again. Gopal drops short, and that’s a six.

After 8 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 68/2 ( Manish Pandey 43 , Vijay Shankar 8)

Rahul Tewatia to bowl his leg-spin now. Let’s see if he gets any purchase from this track. Gets a leading edge from Shankar that falls in no-man’s land. Just six runs from it as SRH duo looks to consolidate.

After 7 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 62/2 ( Manish Pandey 41 , Vijay Shankar 4)

Shreyas Gopal comes into the attack. Finds his lengths early and concedes just four in this first over. Manish Pandey’s whirlwind knock has not only brought down the asking rate, but has soothed SRH’s nerves. This is a little gem already.

After 6 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 58/2 ( Manish Pandey 39 , Vijay Shankar 2)

Tyagi to continue, and starts with a horrible wide. The over only goes worse for him, ad smokes him for a four and two sixes. The youngster’s inexperience is showing. He is struggling for line, length, and control. Pandey and SRH are on the way.

Length from Tyagi and Manish Pandey goes straight. Lovely, clean strike.

Most wickets in PP overs this season of IPL:

7 : Deepak Chahar
7 : Trent Boult
7 : Jofra Archer*

Short from Tyagi, and at 133 kmph, that’s not troubling Manish Pandey. The pull thuds into the boundary boards.

Manish Pandey again! Short from Tyagi and Pandey’s pull goes over the bowler’s head for a four.

After 5 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 41/2 ( Manish Pandey 23 , Vijay Shankar 1)

Ben Stokes comes into the attack, and is dealt with by Manish Pandey who hits him for a four and a glorious six. Searching for his line and length there, Stokes. Ends the over with 13 runs. Good, productive over for SRH.

Another six from Manish Pandey! Stokes digs this one short at 137 kmph, and Pandey pulls it from the fron foot.

Overpitched from Stokes on Manish Pandey’s legs and he simply flicks it over the deep square leg.

After 4 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 27/2 ( Manish Pandey 11 , Vijay Shankar 0)

Kartik Tyagi into the attack. Starts with a wide and follows it with a couple of short and wide balls that are dealt with by Manish Pandey. He is struggling to get his length right…pretty much undoing all the good work of that Archer over. 11 from that over.

And again…bad bowling from Tyagi, excellent execution from Manish Pandey. Short and wide and Pandey cuts this crisply.

Width from Kartik Tyagi and Manish Padey nails his cut. Super shot!

After 3 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 16/2 ( Manish Pandey 1 , Vijay Shankar 0)

Archer to continue. Watch out for the speed gun, folks. Starts with a couple of dots to Pandey before they sneak a tight single to mid-on. And he beats Bairstow for pace…right through his defences…149 kmph is serious, serious pace; that’s how Nortje got him too. Archer is on song here as Vijay Shankar takes guard. Ends the over with a 151 kmph lifter.

Archer!! He gets one to nip one back in at 149 kmph, good enough to breach Bairstow’s defences. Wow! 

Bairstow b Jofra Archer 10(7) [4s-1 6s-1]

After 2 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 15/1 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 10 , Manish Pandey 0)

Ankit Rajpoot to bowl the second over. Starts with a half volley that is dispatched for four by Bairstow. A short ball is then top-edged for a six as the chase is underway. 11 from that over.

Short from Rajpoot, and Bairstow, trying to help this on its way, gets a top edge that sails over fine leg.

Ankit Rajpoot bowls length, and Bairstow eases into a cover drive.

After 1 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 4/1 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 0 , Manish Pandey 0)

Jofra Archer has had David Warner’s number of late, including their last meeting. And he continues his dominance over the left-hander with a peach. This is Test match stuff; he gets one to bounce a bit from length, squares Warner and Stokes in second slip takes a good, diving catch. Manish Pandey walks out and is greeted with a 148 kmph bouncer. Serious stuff.

And Warner’s gone! Test match stuff, this. Archer, with two slips in place, squares up Warner and Stokes does the rest. 

Warner c Stokes b Jofra Archer 4(4) [4s-1]

Warner is away with a streaky boundary. Archer slants across and Warner’ s slash just beats the leaping slip.

Archer to begin the proceedings

All set for the chase then. David Warner and Jonny Bairstow come out to bat as Jofra Archer warms up to unleash himself.

Sunrisers in driver’s seat after restricting RR to 154/6

An excellent bowling performance from Sunrisers Hyderabad means Rajasthan Royals have been restricted to 154/6. Doesn’t look a daunting tally despite Steve Smith’s assessment at the toss of the pitch set to get slower. Under lights, the pitch and the outfield tend to get faster and hence easier to bat, and David Warner should not be too worried with that target. SRH just need to bat properly to get their two points. They haven’t won a match chasing so far in IPL 2020, and maybe this is the time to set the record straight.

After 20 overs,Rajasthan Royals 154/6 ( Rahul Tewatia 2 , Jofra Archer 16)

Natarajan to bowl the last over. Starts with what appears a decent yorker until Archer somehow gets underneath it scoops it for a four. A horrible wide later, he nails one yorker after another. He is not allowing Tewatia to open his arms at all. Dot ball to Archer too, who ends the innings with a six on the last ball. Natarajan misses his length on that occasion, and Archer’s swing makes it a full toss.

Natarajan steams in, bowls a yorker and Archer laps it over fine leg. T20 cricket at its best.

After 19 overs,Rajasthan Royals 141/6 ( Rahul Tewatia 1 , Jofra Archer 5)

Holder to bowl the 19th, and this has turned out to be an excellent choice. Gets rid of Smith first ball and then removes Parag on the third ball. So we have Tewatia and Archer at the crease, both coming out in the same over, needing to get a few sixes. There ain’t one coming for them though as the innocuous Holder completes a very successful over.

Rahul Tewatia has 15 sixes this IPL in the last 10 overs of an innings – the third most by any player after de Villiers and Pollard. Can he repeat his heroics today?

Double strike this, from Holder. Riyan Parag steps out to smash this one, gets only a toe end of the bat, and SRH skipper David Warner takes a good, juggling catch. Losing steam here, are RR.

 Riyan Parag c Warner b Holder 20(12) [4s-2 6s-1]

Smith is gone! That was in the slot from Jason Holder and Smith swings hard, but holes out to Manish Pandey at long-on. Rahul Tewatia is the new man in.

Smith c Manish Pandey b Holder 19(15) [4s-2]

After 18 overs,Rajasthan Royals 134/4 ( Steven Smith (C) 19 , Riyan Parag 20)

Natarajan returns. Expect a flurry of yorkers, folks. He attempts one, but this one turns out to be a full toss outside off from Parag who flays to a square third-man for only a single. Follows it up with an inch-perfect yorker, wow. And Parag responds next ball with a scooped four over fine leg. He is not done yet…here comes a six and a four more. Parag is on a roll here. Finally a big over for RR as 16 come off it.

Lovely, from Parag. Another attempted wide yorker from Natarajan, and Parag opens the bat face and beats the in-field on off-side.

Wow…Parag follows that lap with a conventional six. Forces Natarajan to go wide outside off, and makes full use of the width. That went a long way.

Woah! That’s cheeky from Parag. Scoops that yorker from Natrajan over fine leg.

After 17 overs,Rajasthan Royals 118/4 ( Steven Smith (C) 18 , Riyan Parag 5)

Sandeep Sharma returns. Just one over remains in his spell. He must be credited with stifling Stokes early with his nagging line and the ‘keeper standing up. He hits his straps early and concedes just five runs. No boundaries in sight for RR.

After 16 overs,Rajasthan Royals 113/4 ( Steven Smith (C) 17 , Riyan Parag 1)

Vijay Shankar returns, and is greeted with a swipe for four by Smith. That was a loose ball from the medium pacer, but he strikes a ball later. He saw Buttler advancing, drops this back of length delivery slightly wide and Buttler slices this straight to Nadeem at point. RR seem to have lost all the momentum here. Riyan Parag is the new bastman in, and opens his account straightaway. Eight runs and a wicket from that over.

Shankar strikes. Back of length and outside off, Jos Buttler slices this straight into the hands of Shahbaz Nadeem at point. Disappointing innings. 

Buttler c Nadeem b Shankar 9(12)

Length from Vijay Shankar and Steve Smith swings. This one threads the deep mid-wicket gap with ease.

After 15 overs,Rajasthan Royals 105/3 ( Jos Buttler 9 , Steven Smith (C) 10)

Rashid into his final over. This has been yet another excellent spell from the seasoned leggie. Six runs from this over, where he almost got Smith. Just five more overs to go.

After 14 overs,Rajasthan Royals 99/3 ( Jos Buttler 6 , Steven Smith (C) 7)

Shahbaz Nadeem into the attack in the 14th over, and starts with five singles before Smith slices an overpitched ball through the off-side for a four. Time to get a move on, Rajasthan.

After 13 overs,Rajasthan Royals 90/3 ( Jos Buttler 3 , Steven Smith (C) 1)

Rashid into his third over, and he strikes first ball! Stokes is put out of his misery here as Steve Smith joins Buttler in the middle. Run rate here is less than 7; RR are quickly falling behind in this match. Four runs and a wicket from this one.

Rashid strikes! Ben Stokes’ ordeal is over. He has played all over that one from Rashid and is bowled. RR may have dug themselves a hole here.

Stokes b Rashid Khan 30(32) [4s-2]

After 12 overs,Rajasthan Royals 86/2 ( Ben Stokes 30 , Jos Buttler 0)

Holder into his third over here. Stokes goes aerial first ball but doesn’t get much distance. Luckily for him, this evades the men in deep. Samson though finds his timing with a gorgeous pulled six, but Holder has his revenge next ball. Samson departs after flattering to deceive, not for the first time. Buttler is the new man in. RR need some impetus here.

Six and out! How many times have we said that for Samson. Holder, after being hit for a six, responds with an off-cutter and Samson, trying to make room and hit through the off side, is beaten and bowled. Big blow to RR. 

Samson b Holder 36(26) [4s-3 6s-1]

Wow. Short of length from Holder and Samson just picks his spot. Lovely pull shot that.

After 11 overs,Rajasthan Royals 77/1 ( Ben Stokes 27 , Sanju Samson (W) 30)

Shankar to bowl. Starts well with a couple of dots to Stokes, who is still looking to get his timing right. He is hanging in though. A very quiet over this as SRH are taking control of this innings. Just three runs from this over.

After 10 overs,Rajasthan Royals 74/1 ( Ben Stokes 24 , Sanju Samson (W) 30)

Rashid into his second over now. Starts with a dot, and concede a run every ball thereafter. SRH won’t mind this though, as just six come off this over. Rashid has hit his straps really well here.

After 9 overs,Rajasthan Royals 68/1 ( Ben Stokes 20 , Sanju Samson (W) 28)

Natarajan continues. Starts with a short ball to Samson which he pulls for a four. They score off every ball of this over and collect 11. That’s the way to go. Stokes looking a bit better in this over. If these two bat long enough, SRH may have a really long night. The pitch has held firm pretty well so far too.

Natrajan drops short on the leg stump and Samson just opens up and pulls. Clinical.

Stokes vs leg-spin

Ben Stokes’ SR of 102.7 against leg-break bowlers – the lowest for him against any bowler type in IPL

After 8 overs,Rajasthan Royals 57/1 ( Ben Stokes 19 , Sanju Samson (W) 18)

Here comes Rashid Khan, and Stokes, trying to break the shackles, tries a reverse sweep second ball. Doesn’t get hold of that but luckily for him, the ball falls short of the sweeper Samad. He needs to buckle down a bit…and as I type this, Stokes dances down the track and tries to hoist Rashid on the on-side. Doesn’t get hold of this too, but a running Vijay Shankar grasses a fairly regulation chance.

After 7 overs,Rajasthan Royals 53/1 ( Ben Stokes 16 , Sanju Samson (W) 17)

Yorker time, we must say, as T Natrajan comes on. Starts with a dot before Samson gets consecutive twos and a single. He is looking good so far, does Samson. He is keeping his shape, not looking flustered or in a tearing hurry. He has outscored Stokes with conventional strokes. Just six from this over.

After 6 overs,Rajasthan Royals 47/1 ( Ben Stokes 15 , Sanju Samson (W) 12)

Vijay Shankar comes in. Stokes, visibly frustrated with the ‘keeper standing up, mistimes a pull first ball but the ball falls well short of deep square leg. Crashes a square cut on the third ball, only for Manish Pandey to make a diving stop at point. That must have stung. Stokes here is trying to hit the ball really hard. He gets off the strike with a controlled pull shot, but one gets a feeling that something will happen soon enough. Samson turns the last ball of the over to leg side for a single. Neat start from Shankar. Powerplay done.

After 5 overs,Rajasthan Royals 43/1 ( Ben Stokes 13 , Sanju Samson (W) 10)

Sharma into his third straight over. He has got the ‘keeper up for Stokes all through, forcing the leftie to make room and manufacture shots. Stokes, one gets a feeling, is looking to explode. Turns out, it is Samson who gets into the act here with two picture-perfect drives through the off-side. He is a gorgeous batsman to watch, when on song.

Even better this time from Samson. The feet moved this time as Samson leans forward and strokes a delectable cover drive. What a lovely, lovely player to watch.

Even better this time from Samson. The feet moved this time as Samson leans forward and strokes a delectable cover drive. What a lovely, lovely player to watch.

Smoked. Sanju Samson stands tall and dispatches this length ball from Sharma for his first boundary through the off-side.

After 4 overs,Rajasthan Royals 33/1 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Sanju Samson (W) 1)

A very eventful over this from Holder. 4,4,W read the first three balls. Stokes swings the first one to the leg-side for a four and follows it with a poorly-executed lap that fortunately goes for a four. Then comes the Uthappa run-out. Samson is the new man in. How much do RR want him to fire tonight? 11 from the over.

Gone! That’s a brain fade from these two. Uthappa the man dismissed. Stokes drops this one from Holder at his feet and takes a step, Uthappa takes it as a signal for a run and comes too far. Holder, in one neat pick-up and throw, sends back the right-hander at the non-striker’s end. He was batting so well, Uthappa.

Uthappa run out (Holder) 19(13) [4s-2 6s-1]

After 3 overs,Rajasthan Royals 22/0 ( Robin Uthappa 19 , Ben Stokes 3)

Sharma continues. A very productive over this for RR, and Uthappa in particular. Gets a six and a four there. This pitch looks good, and so does Uthappa.

Down comes Uthappa and away goes the ball. Lovely strokeplay. Second boundary of the over this, from Sandeep Sharma.

Good length from Sandeep Sharma and Uthappa typically plants his front leg in the line of the ball and flicks it over the leg side. That one went deep into the stands. Great shot!

After 2 overs,Rajasthan Royals 9/0 ( Robin Uthappa 8 , Ben Stokes 1)

Jason Holder to bowl the second over. Not much pace but extracts good bounce. Four dots followed by a couple and then Uthappa nails an off-drive through the mid-off region for four.

That’s the first boundary of the match. Holder pitches up and Uthappa brings out a lovely drive that beats the off-side field.

After 1 overs,Rajasthan Royals 3/0 ( Robin Uthappa 2 , Ben Stokes 1)

Right then, game time. SRH coming from a Super Over disappointment against KKR, while RR beat CSK in their last game. This should be interesting. Robin Uthappa and Ben Stokes walk out in the middle. Sandeep Sharma, right-arm medium pace, to begin the proceedings for SRH. Starts with a back of length delivery outside off, which Uthappa steers to point and takes off for a single to get the scorecard moving. Wicketkeeper comes uo for Stokes to prevent him from walking out at Sharma’s gentle pace. They have a sweeper cover for Stokes, whcih means a well-timed drive by the left-hander yields only a single. Brings the fifth ball into the right hander; stifled appeal there. Uthappa flicks the last ball in the air but it falls well short of deep square leg. Neat start from SRH.

Matchups to look forward to:

— David Warner had been dismissed by Jofra Archer three times in 27 balls in T20 cricket.

— Manish Pandey v S Gopal in IPL:

Runs : 32
Balls : 20
Dismissals : 2

— Rashid Khan has dismissed Jos Buttler three times in eight balls in IPL.

— Ben Stokes has a SR of 36.36 against Rashid Khan in IPL with one dismissal.

— Jos Buttler v Sandeep Sharma in IPL:

Runs : 42
Balls : 20
Dismissals : 0

Stats to look forward to:

— SRH’s bowling average of 24.75 during PP overs in this season of IPL – the best among all the teams.

— Rajasthan Royals have taken 15 wickets during death overs in this season of IPL so far – the least among all the teams. Their average of 35.67 and SR of 19.53 during death overs are also the worst respectively.

— Archer’s economy rate of 4.89 during PP overs this IPL – the best among all the players who bowled more than five overs in that phase.

— Rashid Khan has taken 10 wickets during middle-overs in this IPL – the joint most by any bowler during that phase alongside Chahal.

Playing XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner(c), Jonny Bairstow(w), Priyam Garg, Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan

Rajasthan Royals: Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Kartik Tyagi

SRH win the toss and decide to bowl

Steve Smith, Rajasthan Royals skipper: We would have batted first anyway because the pitch gets slower and slower. Playing the same team as the previous game. 

David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper: The pitch gets better under lights so, we’d like to chase. Williamson misses out due to quad injury, Jason Holder comes in his place. Shahbaz Nadeem comes in for Basil Thampi. We’ll try to put our best foot forward and do well.

RR v SRH in IPL:

Matches played: 12
RR won: 6
SRH won: 6

RR have beaten SRH in each of their last two encounters against them.

Pitch Report

It’s a great surface. A smattering of grass but dry underneath says Kumar Sangakkara. Under light, the pitch, as well as the outfield, get faster maybe because of the due settling in. Not bad to lose the toss, the Sri Lankan legend says.

Lots at stake as IPL 2020 moves towards the business end

Sixth-placed Rajasthan Royals play seventh-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai in a short while from now. A win for RR will take them to 10 points, which means they’ll leapfrog KXIP in fifth place, albeit temporarily. If SRH win, they’ll be at eight points and live to fight another day. Safe to say, lots to play for. This is the second meeting between these two sides in IPL 2020. Their previous match was also in Dubai on 11 October where RR had beaten SRH by five wickets. SRH had batted first and put a middling 158, which, after early hiccups, RR managed to overhaul on the penultimate ball of the match. The highlight of that win was the unbroken partnership between young Riyan Parag and the talismanic Rahul Tewatia, who came together at 78/5 and took the team across the finish line with a late assault on Rashid Khan.

Here are the full squads of the two teams that will be facing each other later this evening, with less than an hour left for the toss:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner (c), Abhishek Sharma, Basil Thampi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan, Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman Saha, Virat Singh, Priyam Garg, Jason Holder, Sandeep Bavanaka, Fabian Allen, Abdul Samad, Sanjay Yadav

Rajasthan Royals: Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Mahipal Lomror, Manan Vohra, Riyan Parag, Robin Uthappa, David Miller, Ankit Rajpoot, Mayank Markande, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh, Oshane Thomas, Andrew Tye, Rahul Tewatia, Shashank Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anirudha Joshi, Tom Curran, Sanju Samson, Anuj Rawat.

“Late call to give Mohammed Siraj the new ball”

Mohammed Siraj created history on Wednesday when he became the first bowler in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to bowl two maiden overs in an innings in his match-winning spell of 4-2-8-3 for RCB in their eight-wicket victory over KKR. However, that almost didn’t happen, as skipper Virat Kohli later revealed that the decision to give the Hyderabadi seamer, who hadn’t been getting enough game time this season, the new ball was a last-minute one.

It wasn’t quite the Super Sunday for the Sunrisers as they were at the receiving end of a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi in a match that went down to the Super Over — the first of the three that took place on that magical day.

“Happy to play wherever the team requires me”

Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, who has been a vital cog in the team so far in their campaign, has said he doesn’t mind batting either as an opener or in the middle order as he’s happy to play wherever the team needs him.

The Englishman had started as an opener this season before being shuffled down the order in the last couple of games, including the one against CSK in which he hit an unbeaten 70 in a winning cause.

Read his full statement here

Sunrisers eye much-needed victory

While both teams are quite far behind as far as the race to the playoffs are concerned, with RR and SRH sitting at the sixth and seventh positions respectively on the IPL 2020 points table, Rajasthan will definitely be the more buoyant of the two sides after their comfortable seven-wicket win over CSK. Hyderabad, who have now lost three on the trot, will be desperate to keep their campaign alive with a victory against the side that beat them by five wickets earlier in the tournament

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Match 40 of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), with Rajasthan Royals (RR) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in what should make for an interesting mid-table clash, especially after Royal Challengers Bangalore’s eight-wicket hammering of Kolkata Knight Riders giving the lower-ranked sides an opportunity to boost their playoff chances.