KKR, RCB look to sort top order batting woes ahead of IPL 2024 face-off
The KKR side boasts of a strong bowling unit, at least on paper, and such under-par efforts with the bat could prove costly to RCB’s chances.
Defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) started the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) aggressively as their star all-rounders Yuvraj Singh (62) and Moises Henriques (52) propelled them to 207/4 in the opening clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.
Ben Cutting (16*) and Deepak Hooda (16*) were unbeaten in the end of 20 overs at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad.
In the absence of top guns Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, Shane Watson-led Royal Challengers Bangalore made an unimpressive start in the IPL 2017 as their fielding appeared sluggish at times.
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Yuvraj struck a swift 62-run knock off 27 balls at a notable strike rate of 229.62, while Henriques strengthened SRH at middle-order with his 52-run knock.
The Australian all-rounder lifted the home crowd off their feet with his 37-ball 52 runs, which were decorated by three boundaries and two sky-scrapping sixes.
With opener Shikhar Dhawan (40), Henriques put highest 74-run partnership knock for the second-wicket partnership.
Meanwhile, Dhawan was in great form in the recently concluded Deodhar Trophy. In his last three matches before IPL 2017, he scored an aggregate of 223 runs in the 50-over Deodhar Trophy tournament.
The 31-year-old southpaw hitter laid a strong foundation for SRH after the dismissal of their captain David Warner (14). With the help of 5 boundaries, he smashed causative 40 runs at a strike rate of 129.03.
RCB pacer Stuart Binny trapped the big fish in the 11th over as Dhawan lost his control and lofted it towards long-on, where Sachin took a clean catch.
Besides Binny, Aniket Choudhary and Tymal Mills were other successful pacers for RCB, claiming one wicket each. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Henriques to join the bowling attack.
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