Abhishek Sharma hits 138 as Sunrisers beat Delhi Capitals by 47 runs

Abhishek Sharma’s explosive century and Eshan Malinga’s four-wicket haul powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a commanding 47-run win over Delhi Capitals. SRH posted a massive total before restricting DC despite brief resistance from their middle order

Hyderabad: Riding on the rollicking form of Abhishek Sharma’s second IPL century and Eshan Malinga’s 4/32, Sunrisers Hyderabad scored back-to-back wins on their home ground, defeating Delhi Capitals by an impressive 47 runs here on Tuesday.

Delhi Capitals, who were set a target of 242 by SRH, started badly as they lost their opener Pathum Nissanka c sub (LS Livingstone) to Madushanka in the second over. Nitish Rana joined K L Rahul and both tried to keep Delhi Capitals in the chase. However, a full toss on the legs by Sakib Hussain, which otherwise would have been smacked to the boundary, saw Rahul 37 (23 balls, 1×4; 3×6) whipping it straight to Abhishek Sharma at deep backward square leg.

---

At the halfway mark, Delhi Capitals were 107 for 2, needing 136 from 60 balls. His departure saw DC lose two quick wickets in the tenth over off Malinga. While Rana was caught by Abhishek running in from long-on and taking a sliding catch, Miller, who walked in, was bamboozled by a delivery which kissed his bat and castled him. Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs tried to steady the DC innings and reached a 50-run partnership in 30 balls.

However, the rising run rate pressure took its toll, and Stubbs 27 (16 balls, 3×4; 1×6), trying a switch hit, was caught by Sakib Hussain off Malinga, who bagged his third wicket. By the 16th over, DC were 167/5, needing 76 runs from 24 balls. The sixth wicket fell at 186 and thereafter it was just a matter of time before the Sunrisers wrapped up the game.

Earlier, the 36,000-odd crowd at the Uppal Stadium witnessed another Abhishek Sharma special. He was in blistering form as he blasted the Delhi bowlers all over the park, scoring 138 off 68 balls with 10 fours and 10 sixes as SRH posted a mammoth 242/2 in 20 overs after being put into bat by Delhi Capitals.

SRH’s explosive duo of Abhishek and Travis Head began cautiously after Ishan Kishan lost the toss for the third consecutive time before exploding in the fifth over off Nitish Rana, who was hit for 20 runs, including three sixes, two by Abhishek and one by Head. At the end of the powerplay, SRH managed 67.

Abhishek was more dominant, reaching his 50 with five fours and two sixes, while Head was dismissed for 37 (26 balls, 2x4s; 2×6). The opening pair added 97 runs in 8.5 overs. At the end of 10 overs, SRH reached 104/1.

The arrival of Ishan Kishan saw the SRH scoreboard galloping, with the captain hitting Kuldeep for a six and a four, and Abhishek following with a six and a four. Kuldeep’s over cost him 22 runs. Abhishek scored at will, lofting, driving and pulling the Delhi bowlers despite changes in bowling.

Though he got a reprieve at 86 when dropped by Rana off Natarajan, the crowd at Uppal Stadium was treated to explosive batting. As he continued his assault, SRH suffered a mild setback when a straight drive by Abhishek was deflected onto the stumps by Rana, catching Ishan out of the crease in the 14th over.

However, this did not deter Abhishek, who was joined by Heinrich Klaasen and continued to find the fence. Both added 50 runs in 27 balls. The 19th over saw Delhi’s Natarajan pull things back by conceding just six runs. Klaasen with 37 (13 balls, 3×4; 3×6) added the finishing touch as Sunrisers posted a massive total.