Abhishek Sharma, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s classiest opener, has been dismissed twice in the powerplay by Rajasthan Royals’ fielders, and the game could slip out of his clutches.

Sunrisers Hyderabad did not have the best start in this IPL season under the captaincy of Ishan Kishan, but then they bounced back against this same opposition, from where they achieved consecutive wins to enter the top 4 of the points table.

Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, had a surprising start to the season, winning their first four games; However, after that they suffered consecutive defeats. This game has special importance as the Sunrisers could surpass RR if they beat them for the second time this season.

Ravindra Jadeja dropped Abhishek Sharma off the bowling of Tushar Deshpande

Abhishek Sharma looked to be in full touch coming into this game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. He came off an impressive century in the last game and was crucial to the Sunrisers’ massive chase.

Abhishek, however, struggled early as he bowled a few balls to the defenders, who missed twice. First, Shimron Hetmyer missed a simple catch near the fence and complained about losing the ball in the light.

Secondly, probably one of the safest hands in world cricket, Ravindra Jadeja dropped an absolute sitter when Abhishek missed one off the bowling of Tushar Deshpande. The ball traveled sharply to the point and Jadeja dropped it for an important loose ball.

Jofra Archer picks a first-ball wicket despite Dhruv Jurel missing his first ball chance

Jofra Archer, the leading wicket-taker now for Rajasthan Royals with 12 wickets for the season, has shown the ability to pick up wickets in the first over of his spell. Archer has been taking first-ball wickets in the last three games.

He could have repeated the same had Dhruv Jurel judged the catch perfectly when Archer found a weak edge off Travis Head’s bat on the first ball. He has been absolutely unplayable with the pace he has generated in this IPL with the new ball.

Archer then bowled another similar delivery that drifted slightly away from the left-hander, and Head once again made the same mistake, taking it to the keeper, who this time made no mistake and completed an easy catch. Archer continued his wicket streak in the first over.

Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma give SRH a good start in the powerplay

After Travis Head was dismissed in the first over, Jofra Archer targeted Ishan Kishan with a fiery bounce off the first ball, and the batsman’s luck paid off when, looking to save his head, the ball flew towards the fence after hitting the back of his bat.

This was the start of the carnage as the two dynamic Indian left-handers who have been in such good form for the Sunrisers this season piled up 89 runs in the powerplay, outscoring the Royals’ score.

The attack continued from both sides as Abhishek was bowled on multiple occasions by the likes of Hetmyer and Ravindra Jadeja. The duo added 132 runs in a partnership that lasted for 55 balls.

Abhishek himself was dismissed after a well-played 57 off just 29 balls, while Ishan Kishan also reached his half-century in no time. They gave SRH the start, which was much needed to reach a score of up to 229. With Ishan Kishan still in the crease, there is a lot left in the game for the Sunrisers.

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