DUBAI, Sept 27:
Opener Jason Roy and skipper Kane Williamson struck confident half-centuries to shape Sunrisers Hyderbad’s comfortable seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals as IPL Play-offs calculations got a bit more complicated, here on Monday.
Opting to bat, the Royals scored 164 for six on the back of a well-calculated 82-run knock by skipper Sanju Samson on a sticky wicket where stroke-making was difficult.
However, the score proved insufficient as Roy (60 off 42) and Williamson (51 not out)_led the team to their only second win of the season.
The loss has dented the Royals’ playoff chances as they remained at the sixth spot with eight points while Sunrisers, who have been ruled out for the playoffs, remained at the bottom of the table.
Now four teams — Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Royals and Mumbai Indians — are tied on eight points each and all are alive in the play-offs race in which CSK and Delhi Capitals are firm favourites for the top two places with 16 points each.
Chasing 165, Roy, playing his first match for Sunrisers, and Wriddhiman Saha (18 off 11) raced to 57 for no loss.
The two plundered 18 runs of the fifth over, bowled by Chris Morris, that included four fours.
The fine partnership was broken by spinner Mahipal Lomror (1/22).
Williamson and Roy, without taking much risk, continued to milk runs to take Sunrisers to 90 for one with 10 overs.
Roy was dropped on 55 by Yashasvi Jasiwal off Rahul Tewatia but was caught off rookie pacer Chetan Sakaria (1/32) soon after.
Priyam Garg (0) departed soon after as the Royals seem to be making a comeback. But Williamson and young Abhishek Sharma (21) then led the side over the line. (PTI)
Today’s Fixture
KKR Vs DC at 3.30 PM (Sharjah)
MI Vs Punjab Kings at 7.30 PM (Abu Dhabi)
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