IPL 2023: Sunrisers Hyderabad open their account, register win over Punjab Kings by 8 wickets

SunRisers Hyderabad snatched their much-needed first win of the Indian Premier League 2023 season, defeating Punjab Kings by 8 wickets in Hyderabad on 9 April, Sunday. SRH debutant Mayank Markande, and batter Rahul Tripathi led the way in their respective departments, helping SRH to get out of the bottom of the table in their third match of the tournament.

Hyderabad turned out in numbers on the night, despite the team's terrible start to the IPL 2023 campaign and were treated with a classic SRH display, as they ran riot over the opposition batting order and then chased the target down in 17.1 overs of the game with 8 wickets remaining.

Markande's spell did not let Punjab escape in the middle overs and restricted them to a below par total, despite Shikhar Dhawan's brilliant 99* off 66 balls.

Rahul Tripathi had not been able to translate his previous IPL form into bigger things this year, first with India and then in the first two matches of the new season. After a couple of poor outings, Tripathi showed his full range of shots, and ability to adapt, hitting a stunning 74* off 48 balls, to guide the side home on Sunday. He found support from captain Aiden Markram who remained not out beside him for 37 off 21



balls.

Earlier in te innings, Punjab Kings collapsed against the new ball attack of SunRisers Hyderabad, losing their top order inside the powerplay. New ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Marco Jansen struck in their first overs and sent back Prabhsimran Singh and PBKS debutant Matt Short.

Punjab never quite recovered after that and all their moves failed against a tight SRH bowling, led by another debutant in the game Mayank Markande. Markande's wily bowling plans to draw out the batter and decieve them with his variety worked superbly well for SRH, as the spinner picked 4 wickets for just 15 runs from his 4 overs of the game.

Punjab were forced to bring in their Impact Sub in the first innings of the game - Sikandar Raza - in place of opener Prabhsimran Singh. Nothing seemed to work in their favour, despite Shikhar Dhawan standing tall from one side. Dhawan's scored a riveting 99*, 69.2 per cent of the team's total, helping Punjab get to a position of sustenance. If it were not for Dhawan and his ability to hide the final batter in the team, Punjab would have been wrapped up much before the final over of the innings.

Dhawan let Mohit Rathee (PBKS's final batter) to face only 2 balls, while batting with him in from the 16th over of the game.