Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) powered to a 6-wicket win in what turned out to be a literally a knock out punch for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Chasing 206, SRH made short work of the total, chasing the total with ten balls to spare. SRH started the chase confidently with Taide brought in to open, hitting a flurry of boundaries before William O’Rourke got rid of him. Despite losing a wicket early, SRH did not slow down. 

The chase was spearheaded by Abhishek Sharma, who showed why he is one of the most feared T20 openers going around the circuit. He smashed a half century in just 18 balls, including hitting four sixes in a row off Ravi Bishnoi, destroying his hopes of making a good comeback after being left out earlier in the tournament. 

 

 

 

 

 

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The assault left a much lesser target for the rest of the team and while Ishan Kishan seemingly played a relatively slowish innings before getting out, the target wasn’t compelling enough. Henrich Klassen and Kamindu Mendis ensured there were no further jitters, and while Klassen got out and Kamindu Mendis had to leave the field due to a hamstring injury, the runs remaining were far too less for them to worry and SRH won the game with 10 balls to spare. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Digvesh Singh was the best bowler for LSG, getting rid of the batters mentioned above, Abhishek, and Kishan. However, there was too much for him to do, and with little to no support from the others, the writing was on the wall.  

 

 

 

 

 

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Earlier, put into bat by Sunrisers, the LSG openers continued the trend of openers doing well upon IPL resumption, putting together a 115-run partnership off just over 10 overs, setting a strong platform from which they would have hoped to reach at least 220. Marsh leading the charge with a well-struck 65, coming off 39 balls.  

 

 

 

 

 

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From a qualification standpoint, the focus will now turn towards the Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals fixture, which becomes another knockout match, especially for DC, who will be hoping to avoid the same fate as LSG today. A win for DC and a defeat for MI, on the other hand, still won't confirm the qualifiers, and it will depend on the outcome of both teams' remaining fixtures.