Visakhapatnam, Mar 30 (UNI) Sunrisers Hyderabad were bowled out for 163 in 18.4 overs against Delhi Capitals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, SRH had a rocky start, losing opener Abhishek Sharma for 1 in the first over via a run out by Vipraj Nigam. Star Australian batsman Travis Head (22 off 12) provided some early momentum with three well-timed boundaries, including a push-drive past mid-off and a crisp flick through backward square leg. However, he was caught by keeper KL Rahul off Mitchell Starc in the fourth over.
Ishan Kishan (2) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (0) fell in quick succession to Starc, leaving SRH reeling at 25/3 in just 2.3 overs. Aniket Verma played a blazing knock of 74 off 41 balls, which included six fours and five sixes, bringing up his maiden IPL fifty with a single past mid-wicket. His aggressive intent was evident as he smashed back-to-back sixes off Axar Patel, one lofted straight over the bowler's head and another pulled over mid-wicket.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen contributed 32 off 19 before being caught by Nigam off Mohit Sharma, breaking a crucial 77-run stand. However, the middle and lower order could not provide substantial support, as Abhinav Manohar (4), captain Pat Cummins (2), and Harshal Patel (5) failed to convert their starts. Cummins fell to a mistimed pull off Kuldeep Yadav, while Manohar holed out to Faf du Plessis at long-off.
Wiaan Mulder (9) was the last wicket to fall, caught by du Plessis off Starc, as SRH folded for 163 in 18.4 overs. Mohammed Shami remained unbeaten on 1. Harshal Patel survived a DRS call in the 17th over when UltraEdge confirmed no bat involvement after an initial out decision for caught behind.
For Delhi, Mitchell Starc was the standout performer, claiming 5 wickets for 35 runs in 3.4 overs, including a sensational catch by Axar at mid-off to dismiss Harshal Patel. Kuldeep Yadav impressed with 3/22 in his 4-over spell, while Mohit Sharma picked up a wicket.
Aniket had an eventful innings, surviving a dropped catch on 6 when Abhishek Porel failed to hold on at extra cover. His fireworks, including a six that brought up a fifty-run partnership in just 22 deliveries, kept SRH in contention, but their total remained underwhelming.
Delhi now require 164 runs to win from 20 overs. UNI BDN SSP