Gazeta Lodz - Reddy helps Hyderabad edge Punjab in IPL thriller

NYSE - LSE

RBGPF	0%	67.74	$
CMSC	-1.22%	20.44	$
BTI	0.97%	54.86	$
RIO	-4.38%	99.39	$
NGG	-1.18%	76.38	$
RELX	-1.27%	33.82	$
GSK	-1.06%	48.12	$
BCE	-0.34%	23.25	$
CMSD	-1.03%	20.34	$
AZN	1.69%	159.64	$
JRI	-0.25%	12.08	$
BP	0.87%	46.08	$
RYCEF	-2.61%	19.13	$
VOD	1.15%	17.33	$
BCC	-1.17%	75.05	$

Reddy helps Hyderabad edge Punjab in IPL thriller

SPORTS 09.04.2024

Reddy helps Hyderabad edge Punjab in IPL thriller / Photo: © AFP

Sunrisers Hyderabad survived a late assault by Punjab Kings batsmen Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma to win by two runs in an IPL thriller on Tuesday.

Text size:

Nitish Kumar Reddy, a 20-year-old batting all-rounder, pulled Hyderabad out of early trouble to guide them to 182-9 after being invited to bat first at Punjab's new home Mullanpur.

Punjab looked down and out at 114-6 but Shashank (46) and Sharma (33) put on an unbeaten stand of 66 off 27 balls to give Hyderabad a scare as Punjab ended on 180-6.

Hyderabad's Pat Cummins looked a relieved captain after left-arm quick Jaydev Unadkat just about defended 29 runs in the last over, which witnessed three dropped catches in the deep.

Cummins, who was paid $2.5 million by Hyderabad in the auction, praised Reddy for his batting, one wicket and a catch as well.

"He was awesome, fantastic debut last week," Australia's World Cup-winning captain said.

"Straight to the top for the order, fantastic in the field, bowled three overs too. To get us to 180 off his bat, it was amazing."

Bhuvneshwar Kumar took two wickets to play a key part in Hyderabad's third win in five matches to stay fifth, above Punjab in the 10-team table.

But Reddy set up victory with his 37-ball 64 laced with four fours and five sixes as he put on a key 50-run sixth-wicket stand with Abdul Samad, who hit a 12-ball 25.

Punjab quick Arshdeep Singh struck twice in the space of three balls to send back Travis Head, for 21, and Aiden Markram, for a duck, before Reddy took charge.

Reddy rebuilt the innings as he stood firm despite wickets falling around him and mixed the right dose of caution and aggression.

Arshdeep again struck twice in an over as he sent back Samad and Reddy but Shahbaz Ahmed steered the team to a total which eventually proved enough with his unbeaten seven-ball 14.

Sam Curran and Harshal Patel took two wickets each but leaked runs.

Punjab wobbled early in their chase after Cummins took down Jonny Bairstow for a three-ball duck and soon slipped to 58-4 when Curran departed on 29.

Zimbabwe's Sikander Raza hit 28 but it was number six Shashank and number eight Sharma who took on the chase only to finish two short.

"There was always the hope that they could finish the game. Hats off to them that they brought it this close," Punjab skipper Shikhar Dhawan said after their third loss this season.

"Gives us confidence and hope for the next game. We have to do better in certain areas and improve."

L.Zielinski--GL

Featured

Turning up the heat: Arteta reveals 'challenges' for Arsenal stars

Mikel Arteta has revealed he sets challenges for his Arsenal players including delaying their meals and turning up the heat in the dressing room in a bid to keep them focused.

Arsenal boss Arteta 'very surprised' at Jesus blast over Barcelona move

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was "very surprised" by Gabriel Jesus's claim that he was forced to train alone and was given no information prior to joining Barcelona.

F2 crash in Madrid underlines fears over 'riskiest track'

Formula Two driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak escaped unhurt after his car burst into flames during practice on Friday when he crashed into a safety barrier, underlining driver fears about the safety of the new Madring circuit which will host its first Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.

Maresca says spotlight not on him ahead of Manchester derby

Enzo Maresca said Friday he was not the "main focus" as he prepares to take charge of his first Manchester derby, seeking to maintain his team's 100 percent record this season.