IPL 2021: Sunrisers Hyderabad falter in their chase to hand Royal Challengers Bangalore six-run win

David Warner scores fifty before Hyderabad collapse chasing 150 in Chennai

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Abdul Samad of Sunrisers Hyderabad during their IPL match at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Sportzpics for IPL

Shahbaz Ahmed of Royal Challengers Bangalore picked up three wickets to pull off victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sportzpics for IPL

David Warner scored a fifty for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. Sportzpics for IPL

Mohammed Siraj of Royal Challengers Bangalore celebrates the wicket of Wriddhiman Saha. Sportzpics for IPL

Glenn Maxwell of Royal Challengers Bangalore scored his first IPL fifty since 2016. Sportzpics for IPL

Rashid Khan of Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrates the wicket of AB de Villiers. Sportzpics for IPL

Jason Holder of Sunrisers Hyderabad took the wicket of Virat Kohli. Sportzpics for IPL

Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore pulled off an unlikely win over Sunrisers Hyderabad by six runs for their second successive success of IPL 2021 on Wednesday.

Hyderabad, who lost their opener of the T20 tournament on Sunday, faltered in their chase of 150 to finish on 143-9 despite a valiant 54 by skipper David Warner in Chennai.

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed struck three times in one over as  Hyderabad slipped from 115-2 to 116-5.

Pace bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel took two wickets each as Bangalore took top spot in the eight-team table.

Glenn Maxwell top-scored with 59 – his first IPL fifty since 2016 – in Bangalore's 149-8 after being put into bat.

"For us Maxi gave us that momentum and got us closer to 150," Kohli said of his star player, who was bought by Bangalore for $1.95m in the February auctions.

He added: "To be very honest, we're not over-excited with victories. It's a long tournament and you have to be professional with your job."

Kohli made 33 off 29 deliveries and put on a key third-wicket partnership of 44 with Maxwell.

Maxwell, batting at number four, stood firm after Kohli's departure and smashed five fours and three sixes in his 41-ball knock.

"To have batters around me gives me time to settle in and play with freedom – similar to the role I play at the Australian team," said the 32-year-old Maxwell.

On playing for RCB, Maxwell said: "Having those guys behind me is a nice little luxury. It's my fourth IPL team and there's pressure on me to turn up and make my impact."

West Indies pace bowler Jason Holder made the XI for Hyderabad and claimed three wickets while Afghanistan spin ace Rashid Khan returned figures of 2-18.

The left-handed Warner helped Hyderabad start strongly with his 37-ball knock but he fell to New Zealand quick Kyle Jamieson and the wheels came off the chase.

Rajasthan Royals take on Delhi Capitals in Mumbai on Thursday.