Williamson, Kaul steer Hyderabad to crucial win

Kane Williamson’s responsible knock and Siddarth Kaul’s outstanding spell helped Sunrises Hyderabad in registering an 11-run win against Rajasthan Royal in the Indian Premier League in Jaipur on Sunday.

The day started with Hyderabad captain winning the toss and opting to bat first. The decision looked a correct one as after losing Shikhar Dhawan early, Hyderabad recovered courtesy 92-run partnership for the second-wicket between Alex Hales and Williamson and looked on course for a total 180.

However, once Hales departed in the 14^th over, the home side made a grand comeback and restricted Hyderabad to just 151 for the loss seven wickets. Williamson finished the innings with the top score of 63 off 43 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes, whereas Hales scored 45 off 39 balls with the help of four fours.

For Rajasthan, pacer Jofra Archer was the most successful bowler as he claimed figures of three for 26, whereas off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham claimed figures of two for 18.

In reply, the home side lost Rahul Tripathi early, but a 59-run partnership for second-wicket between captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson put the team on track for an easy win.However, once Samson departed in the 10^th over, it opened the floodgates for the visitors, who claimed two more and Rajasthan were reduced to 96 for four from 72 for one at one stage.

Captain Rahane kept going from one end and kept the team in the contest, but a brilliant overall bowling performance and great fielding from Hyderabad restricted Rajasthan to 140 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

Rahane finished the innings with the top score of 65 not out off 53 balls with the help of five fours and one six. For Hyderabad, Kaul was the most successful bowler on the night as he claimed figures of two for 23.