Already out of the running for the IPL 2021 playoffs, Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered a six-wicket defeat in the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. Opener Shubman Gill and bowlers guided KKR’s win, keeping them in contention for a top-four finish. 

Chasing a below par 116-run total, Gill top-scored for KKR with 57 from 51 balls while Nitish Rana contributed 25. Jason Holder was the pick of the SRH bowlers, grabbing two wickets for 32 runs, while Siddarth Kaul and Rashid Khan took a wicket apiece.

Batting first, SRH lost wickets at regular intervals as Tim Southee (2/26) and the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy (2/26) and Sunil Narine choked bowled exceptional spells. Captain Williamson top-scored for Hyderabad with 26 runs.

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Talking about the loss, Kane Williamson said, “I think if we got closer to the 150-mark, might have been par. We did have our chances to squeeze the scoring but it was always going to be tough with such a low score. We haven’t been able to identify the right score all season.”

He added that the team needs to go back to the drawing board and re-assess things. 

“We could have built more partnerships. Unfortunately we were 10-15 short of what would have been a competitive score. He (Malik) has been bowling really quick in the nets and it’s really nice for him to get an opportunity today. Obviously we’re out of the competition, so it’s a chance for some other boys to also get on the park,” the SRH skipper said. 

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Kolkata skipper Eoin Morgan was happy with his team’s performance. 

“We needed to bowl and field well and we did. Shubman played extremely well and led the chase. The depth of the squad to be able to call Shakib is a huge luxury, so he has had a huge impact. We didn’t know it wouldn’t be played in India, and we have done well in the conditions and adapted well,” he said.