Nicholas Pooran sensational innings of 77 went in vain, as King XI Punjab went down by 69 runs against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Sunrisers opening duo of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow got their team off to a blazing start by adding 160 runs for the opening stand, before young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi struck with the very first delivery, as the former was caught by Maxwell for a 42-ball 50.
Three balls later, Punjab’s successful review of leg before wicket saw the back of the dangerous Bairstow for an entertaining knock of 97. His knock came of just 57 balls, with seven fours and six sixes.
The 31 year old wicket keeper’s dismissal triggered mini-collapse, as Manish Pandey, Abdul Samad and young Priyam Garg fell in succession.
Kane Williamson and Abhishek Sharma scored a few big hits at the end, to take SRH to an imposing 201/6 at the end of 20 overs.
For Punjab Bishnoi claimed three wickets, while left arm bowler Arshdeep Singh bagged two.
Chasing 202 Punjab started disastrously, with a mix up between Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul saw the former back to the hut in the second over.
Debutant Prabhsimran Singh promoted at No 3, looked good in his brief stay,before he caught at covers by Priyam Garg off Khaleel Ahmed for 11.
Abhishek provided Sunrisers a vital breakthrough by claiming the prize scalp of skipper Rahul, who was caught in deep by Williamson to reduce KXIP to 58/3.
Nicholas Pooran got his side back into the contest by smashing Abdul Samad for 28 runs in the 9th over.
Glenn Maxwell’s failure with the bat continued, as he was run out by the young Garg for 7.
With 76 needed off 36 , Rashid Khan’s last over produced a double wicket maiden as he dismissed Pooran and then trapped Mohammed Shami leg before wicket to end KXIP’s hopes.
Natarajan wrapped by the match by dismissing both Sheldon Cottrell and Arshdeep Singh, as Punjab were routed for 132, giving Sunrisers a comprehensive 69 run win.
Jonny Bairstow was declared the Man of the Match for his swashbuckling knock.