Sunrisers beat Daredevils, earn first win

Dubai, April 25 (IANS) An unbeaten 128-run partnership between Aaron Finch and David Warner led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to their first win in the Indian Premier League when they beat the Delhi Daredevils by four runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here Friday.

Electing to bat, the Sunrisers put up a challenging total of 184/1 and then restricted Daredevils to 180/4. With 20 runs required off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s last over, the Delhi outfit could only manage 15 in an exciting finish and to end up with their third loss out of four matches this season.

The Sunrisers got off to a good start with skipper Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Man of the Match Finch hitting a 56-run opening wicket partnership before Dhawan was caught by his counterpart Kevin Pietersen at fine leg. Dhawan played well hitting five boundaries and a six in his 22-ball knock.

Left-handed Warner joined Finch at the crease and the two Australians combined in a fabulous second-wicket partnership which lasted till the last ball of their innings. The top order duo scored at a run rate of 9.36 in the last 13.4 overs to propel their side to a challenging total.

Finch played the anchor’s role, making an unbeaten 88 off 53 balls at a strike rate of 166.03. His knock included eight boundaries and four towering sixes. He was well supported by Warner, who scored 58 not out, hitting three fours and sixes each.

None of the Daredevils bowlers had anything to boast about with all but one going for more than nine runs per over. Only spinner Shahbaz Nadeem had figures worth showing off with 4-0-24-1, picking up the only wicket of Dhawan in the seventh over.

In reply, the Daredevils took off really well with Quinton de Kock (48) and Murali Vijay (52) giving the team the much needed start. Initially the South African was the aggressor, scoring six boundaries and a six, but Vijay too joined the party with seven boundaries and a lofty six.

The openers hit a 99-run opening wicket stand before both perished within a span of four runs and six balls, bringing in skipper Pietersen (16) and wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik (15). Despite not playing his side’s opening three games due to an injured finger, Pietersen looked in form.

Though the team was stable at 135/2, the required run rate was growing on them. Trying to accelerate, Karthik and Pietersen both got out on successive deliveries off pacer Dale Steyn in the 17th over.

JP Duminy (20 not out) and Manoj Tiwary (23 not out) hit a few lusty blows in the end but eventually fell short of their target.

South African Steyn was the pick of the bowlers, being the only person in the entire match to take two wickets while Karn Sharma and Darren Sammy also clinched a wicket each.

Brief scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 184/1 in 20 overs (Aaron Finch 88 not out, David Warner 58 not out, Shikhar Dhawan 33; Shahbaz Nadeem 1/24) beat Delhi Daredevils 180/4 in 20 overs (Murali Vijay 52, Quinton de Kock 48, Manoj Tiwary 23 not out; Dale Steyn 2/33, Karn Sharma 1/13, Darren Sammy 1/34).