IPL 2020: SRH vs MI Review – Warner, Saha seal 10-wicket win to knock KKR out

Sunrisers Hyderabad have qualified for the IPL 2020 playoffs with a 10-wicket win over table-toppers Mumbai Indians in the tournament’s final league game. With SRH finishing on the No.3 spot, the Kolkata Knight Riders have been knocked out of the race this year.

After opting to bowl first, SRH pacer Sandeep Sharma nipped out Rohit Sharma early. Quinton de Kock had some fun racing to 25 off 13 deliveries before getting out to the same bowler. From there on Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan kept the team in good stead to stitch a 42-run stand.

However, from 81/2, Mumbai suddenly lost three wickets in the space of 7 balls thanks to Shahbaz Nadeem and Rashid Khan. All the momentum from the innings was sucked out in the second half. The situation turned worse with MI struggling at 116/7. But Kieron Pollard was there in the middle and he took the attack to the SRH bowlers at the death. His 25-ball 41-run knock propelled Mumbai to 149/8 after 20 overs. Sandeep Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with 3/34 while Rashid, Nadeem and Holder were also amongst the wickets.

A cakewalk chase

The 150-run chase could’ve been tricky for SRH under pressure with a playoff spot at stake. But their skipper David Warner was determined to take the team over the finishing line. He got an able ally in Wriddhiman Saha who rather scored at a brisk pace in the Powerplay. Warner then took over and smacked the depleted MI bowling attack to leave KKR fans frustrated.

MI, on the other hand, never looked like being in the game with the ball. They missed the rested Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult badly and eventually handed the game to SRH. Warner and Saha didn’t get out at all scoring an unbeaten 85 and 58 respectively, sealing the match in the 18th over itself. SRH have now qualified for the playoffs while KKR, who needed MI to win this match, have been knocked out.

Top performers

Records/Personal Milestones

• David Warner has scored more than 450 runs in every IPL season he has played since 2014
• David Warner also completed 500 fours in the IPL
• Suryakumar Yadav crossed the 400-run mark for his third consecutive IPL season
• Kieron Pollard reached the 3000-run mark for Mumbai Indians in IPL

Way Ahead

MI has ended their league stage at the top of the table and will face Delhi Capitals in the first qualifier in Dubai on Thursday. SRH, on the other hand, will have a couple of days’ rest before they face RCB in the eliminator in Abu Dhabi on Friday.