Punjab pull off another sensational chase in IPL
Table-toppers defeat Hyderabad by six wickets.
Punjab wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha was declared man-of-the-match for his 54 runs off 26 deliveries against Hyderabad. PHOTO: BCCI
Power-packed Kings XI Punjab proved for the umpteenth time this year that their batting prowess is better than any other team competing in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
After recording monumental wins in their early games in the UAE, the Punjab batsmen pulled off another chase to shatter the hopes of hosts Hyderabad by six wickets.
Punjab were set a target of 206 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad and got off to a poor start, losing Virender Sehwag in the first over of their innings.
Manan Vohra (47) and Wriddhiman Saha (54) then added 91 runs in only 40 balls to bring their team right back in contention. Glenn Maxwell, the leading run-scorer in the competition thus far, struck a 22-ball 43 with the aid of five sixes. David Miller (24) and captain George Bailey (35) ensured a win for their team by overhauling the target in the penultimate over of the match.
Earlier in the day, Naman Ojha’s 79 off only 36 balls took Hyderabad past the 200-run mark. Ojha was well supported by David Warner (44) and captain Shikhar Dhawan (45).
Pacer Sandeep Sharma was smashed for 65 runs in his four-over spell. After conceding 13 runs in his opening two overs, Sharma was creamed for 52 in his last two overs. His figures were the second-worst in terms of runs conceded in the IPL history.
Kohli hails Yuvraj’s form for Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli praised the strong comeback of Yuvraj Singh, who had been written off by critics after a string of poor performances.
Yuvraj struck an inspiring 68 off just 29 balls to help Bangalore accumulate a decent score against Delhi Daredevils in their IPL match late Tuesday, enabling the hosts to win by 16 runs.
“I am glad that Yuvraj has stood up,” said Kohli. “Many people had written him off, which I think should never been done to any cricketer because we never know when one can make a comeback.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2014.