Sunrisers Hyderabad, Masters of Defending Low Score Totals: SRH Bowlers Destroy Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018

If there is any team who has excelled at the art of defending low scores, it is the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) who through some quality bowling in their ranks are taking the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 by storm. In their latest match, it was the turn of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to face the music as the Hyderabad outfit managed to clinch another low scoring encounter. As has been the pattern throughout the competition, skipper Kane Williamson was the star attraction with the bat for Sunrisers Hyderabad as his 65 along with Alex Hales' 45 runs were crucial in team's total of 151-7. Once these two departed, there was not much on display as Jofra Archer put Hyderabad under tremendous pressure. RR vs SRH Video Highlights IPL 2018: SRH Bowlers Pull off a Stunner to Place The Team on Top of Points Table.

The Royals must have been made aware of the dangers of chasing against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Williamson’s opposite number Ajinkya Rahane (65*) stood firm for Royals and was ably supported by Sanju Samson (40) till the time he was at the crease. However his wicket fell at a crucial juncture with next batsmen in, an out of form Ben Stokes out without troubling the scorers. Hyderabad’s strength has been their death bowling led by Indian pacers Siddarth Kaul and Basil Thampi. The duo picked up three wickets among them as Rajasthan fell short by 11 runs needing 21 of the last over. Let us look at some of the low scores this team from Hyderabad has been successful in defending.

Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Defended 118 IPL 2018

Playing against Mumbai Indians at their den in Wankhede is a tough ask, and it even got worse with only 118 runs on board. But the Sunrisers Hyderabad were in the mood to take the fight to the opposition. The Mumbai Indians just did not turn up with the bat as a disastrous batting collapse saw its inning end at 87. Shakib al Hasan and Rashid Khan were the pick of the bowlers as they tightened the screws and were well supported by pacer Siddarth Kaul who chipped in with three wickets. Mumbai’s misery was highlighted by Hardik Pandya’s struggle on the pitch who huffed and puffed on his way to a 19 ball 3. List of Lowest Totals Defended in IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad Defend 118 Runs Against Mumbai Indians.

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings 11 Punjab: Defended 132 IPL 2018

This match has to be a prime example of how fortunes change in an over or two for a side. Hyderabad were blown away by the brilliance of Punjab pacer Ankit Rajpoot whose five wickets for 14 runs ripped apart the Hyderabad innings. Chasing 133, Punjab got off to a decent start and had the match in hand at 55-0, but spinner Rashid Khan stopped the momentum sending KLRahul back to the dugout.

The departure of Chris Gayle left Punjab in a downward spiral which they never recovered from courtesy some fine attacking bowling and fielding from Hyderabad. Spinners Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan counted for half of the opposition wickets to fall as Sunrisers Hyderabad triumphed by 13 runs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Pune Warriors: Defended 126 IPL 2013

The very first match that the Sunrisers Hyderabad played in the IPL they defended a score of 126 which sent a message across to the teams about how it does not give up easily. The opposition, the Pune Warriors had depth in batting and were set a target of 127 after some lethargic batting by the home side who looked down and out at the break.

Dale Steyn revived the fortunes of his team as his swing bowling was tested the Pune batting to the full. The wickets though came through Thisara Perera and Amit Mishra who were forcing the batsmen into a mistake. Needing 33 of the last three overs, the run out of Mitchel Marsh had Pune on the rope. Dale Steyn came back to put in the final nail in the coffin with three wickets in four-ball as SRH won by 22 Runs.

Pune Warriors vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Defended 119 IPL 2013

The return leg of the SRH Pune Warriors fixture in Pune provided the home side to extract revenge after the humiliation suffered in Hyderabad. But it turned out to be one of Amit Mishra’s memorable days on the cricket field. Having contributed with 30 vital runs out of his teams total of paltry 119, Mishra turned à magician with the Ball. He claimed his third IPL hat trick of his career as his four wickets for 19 runs restricted the Pune Warriors to 108.

These victories are a reminder of the character the Sunrisers Hyderabad have displayed when the chips are down, and it is no surprise that the team is leading the points table in IPL 2018. With the emergence of good domestic fast bowlers in Siddarth Kaul and Basil Thampi, the attack looks sharp, and no total can be a guaranteed to be chased down easily when you are up against Hyderabad.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2018 09:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).