Rajasthan Royals announced themselves to IPL 2022 in an imperious fashion. They shrugged off (by 61 runs) an undisciplined, lacklustre Sunrisers Hyderabad to become the first side to win while defending this season.
Chasing 211, Sunrisers Hyderabad got off to a worse possible start as they not only lost their top-3 wickets but also managed just 14 runs in the powerplay- the lowest-ever by any side in the history of the IPL.
Prasidh Krishna proved to be the wrecker-in-chief as the tall, lanky seamer hurried the batters with a skiddy raw pace.
This was, of course, after SRH skipper Kane Williamson was given out caught at slips controversially.
During the 2nd over of the innings, Kane poked at an away-going delivery from Prasidh.
The outside edge flew to the right of Samson, who made a one-handed attempt. However, the ball dribbled off his hands, but Devdutt Padikkal showed the brilliant presence of mind to dive before him to snaffle it with both hands inches above the ground.
From one angle, the ball may have hit the ground, but the umpire proceeded to benefit the doubt to the fielder.
Rahul Tripathi and Pooran, who registered his 5th duck in his last 12 IPL innings, had no answer to the pace of Krishna, and by the time the power play was over, the game seemed to be heading in one direction.
In previous seasons, spin bowling had been the Achilles heel for RR, but with the presence of Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin, it was never going to be the case this time.
Chahal (3/22 in four overs) got into the act and knocked over Sharma, Abdul Samad and a dangerous-looking Romario Shepherd (24 off 18 deliveries) to leave SRH six down when he finished his quota.
Aiden Markam (55 off 41 deliveries) and, especially, Washington Sundar (40 off 14 deliveries) delayed the inevitable by stroking some lusty blows in the end, but the game was over a long time ago.
Intentful Royals hammer SRH's bowling into bits and pieces despite brilliant performances from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umran Malik
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals showcased the night of their batting reserves as they hammered the season's highest score- 6-210- to date.
Sunrisers' bowlers started well and even created as many as three opportunities to dismiss Jos Buttler, but on two occasions, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umran Malik were guilty of overstepping.
Sunrisers' bowlers consistently delivered no-balls during the powerplay- 3 in the first 21 deliveries and four overall in the first six overs- and Buttler, looking in ominous touch, took full toll of it.
The English opener smashed 33 runs off just 25 deliveries in the powerplay to ensure Rajasthan finished at 0-58.
Yashasvi Jaiswal also played some delightful strokes during his 15-ball 20 before the southpaw holed out while trying to pull Romario Shepherd.
Umran Malik once again impressed with his raw pace and discipline and temperament. After being hammered for 21 in his first over, he returned to knock over Buttler and then a dangerous-looking Devdutt Padikkal with skiddy, raw pace.
He gave away just 18 runs of his last three overs to finish with figures of 2/39 in four.
Padikkal perished for a 29-ball 41, but it did not affect the Royals one bit as skipper Samson smoked five sixes and three fours during his 27-ball 55, and Shimron Hetmyer, followed by Riyan Parag, took the onus on themselves to further dent the Sunrisers attack.
Hetmyer showcased his 360-degree play to smash 32 off just 13 deliveries, while Parag too chipped in with a useful 9-ball 12 to ensure that RR accumulated 62 runs off the last five overs to end up with an imposing total of 6-210, which proved to be more than enough in the end.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's (1/29 in 4 overs) performance was something to savour for the Orange Army. The veteran seamer bowled at close to 140 kmph and delivered some vintage deliveries.
RR have notched up their first points in IPL 2022, and they will now face the Mumbai Indians at the D.Y Patil Stadium on April 02.
SRH will lock horns with Lucknow Supergiants at the same venue on April 04.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals 6-210 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 55 [27], Shimron Hetmyer 32 [13], Devdutt Padikkal 41 [29]; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/29 [4], Umran Malik 2/39 [4]) BEAT Sunrisers Hyderabad 7-149 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 57* [41], Washington Sundar 40 [14]; Prasidh Krishna 2/16 [4], Yuzi Chahal 3/22 [4]) by 61 runs