Some big hitting from captain David Warner ensured defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad marched to an emphatic nine-wicket win over Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League for their second successive victory in the tournament.
The Australian opener hit six boundaries and four sixes in an unbeaten 76 off 45 balls on Sunday as Hyderabad won with more than four overs to spare against Gujarat, who remain winless.
Warner’s good day started when he put Gujarat into bat after winning the toss, and Gujarat struggled as they slumped to 57 for four, with Rashid Khan (3-19) dismissing Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina and Aaron Finch all cheaply.
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Dwayne Smith (37) and Dinesh Karthik (30) rallied the innings with a stand of 56 for the sixth wicket, but a final total of 135 for seven of 20 overs always looked below par.
That was immediately reinforced as Warner went after the Gujarat bowling, and though Shikhar Dhawan (9) fell cheaply, they were quickly on the back foot.
Warner was supported by Moises Henriques (52 not out) as they put on an unbroken 108 for the second wicket to canter home on 140 for one.
Hyderabad are next in action on Wednesday at Mumbai Indians, while Gujarat will hope it is third time lucky in their bid to get a first win of 2017 when they go up against Rising Pune Supergiant on Friday.
* The National staff
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