After not being included in the Sunrisers Hyderabad line-up for the first five matches, Kane Williamson announced his arrival in India with a match-winning performance.
Batting first, the Sunrisers got off to a shaky start with David Warner being caught during the second over. Luckily for Sunrisers fans it brought together the BLACKAPS captain and Shikhar Dhawan and the pair put on 136 for the second wicket.
Williamson took a couple of overs to settle in, but once he did, the right-handed batsman played shots all around the wicket. He reached his 50 from 33 balls, and after reaching his half-century he did not slow down, even putting on a display of how to play against spin by hitting two of his five sixes off the bowling of Amit Mishra.
His 89 from 51 balls led the Sunrisers to 191/4, enough to earn a 15-run victory over the Delhi Daredevils.
This was a Kane show. Once he found his bearings, his batting looked delightful.
This was a Kane show. Once he found his bearings, his batting looked delightful.#OrangeArmy #RiseOfOrange #SRHvDD pic.twitter.com/drh3xL4Wxr
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 19, 2017
The tournament remains remarkably close, with Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme’s Kolkata Knight Riders currently leading the pack.
Boult has been involved in four of the five matches, with one highlight being this incredible piece of fielding.
VIDEO: Boult & Beautiful ! @trent_boult was at his athletic self at the boundary ropes flying over one to save a SIX https://t.co/h2jRpe36j5
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 7, 2017
Williamson’s Sunrisers are even on points with the Knight Riders along with Mitchell McClenaghan’s Mumbai Indians. The left-arm quick has led the Mumbai bowling attack excellently, taking seven wickets at an average of 23.69.
Corey Anderson and the Dehli Daredevils are mid-table, with the all-rounder impressing during his two matches. His knock of 39* showed his explosive power, hitting at a strike rate of 157.69. The left-hander hit three boundaries and three sixes during the knock.
Man of the Moment- @DelhiDaredevils' all-rounder @coreyanderson78 is all smiles as he poses for #IPLselfie after a match-winning performance pic.twitter.com/23Jf4keG0c
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2017
Daniel Vettori’s Royal Challengers Bangalore have a star-studded line-up, including the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, but someone who has sneaked under the radar has been Adam Milne.
After overcoming the injuries which ruled him out for most of the New Zealand summer, Milne has impressed during his two matches taking three wickets at 23.33, including being on the verge of a hat-trick after taking two wickets in two balls.
Adam Milne stood out dismissing Stokes & Thakur in successive balls as Supergiant collapsed from 127/2 to 130/7 | https://t.co/Yy2iyCfilU pic.twitter.com/PVmugAwBwq
— Central Stags 🏏 (@CentralStags) April 16, 2017
Meanwhile, Brendon McCullum has demonstrated why he is still a target for T20 sides around the world, as he's scored the second most runs in the tournament thus far. The powerful right-hander has hit a tournament high 15 sixes, and has averaged 45 runs a game.
#BrendonMcCullum doing it again for the Lions. An enterprising half century from him. #LikeABaz #GameMaariChhe #GLvRCB pic.twitter.com/F6fwlZ87If
— The Gujarat Lions (@TheGujaratLions) April 18, 2017
