SUNRISERS Hyderabad overcame a century from Delhi Daredevils’ Rishabh Pant to triumph by nine wickets and secure a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs.

Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson were unbeaten on 92 and 83 respectively as the table-topping Sunrisers cruised to a sixth straight win.

The duo put on an unbroken stand worth 176 following the early departure of Alex Hales, their exploits overshadowing a superb innings from Pant that powered the Daredevils to 187-5.

The 20-year-old left-hander made 128 not out from just 63 deliveries, making him the second-youngest player to reach three figures in the history of the competition.
Delhi were indebted to Pant for the digging them out of early trouble and their final total appeared competitive at the halfway stage of the contest.

However, the experienced duo of Dhawan and Williamson combined to see their side home at a canter, with the result ending the Daredevils’ slim hopes of finishing the regular season in the top four.

Having decided to bat first after winning the toss, Delhi’s hopes of kick-starting their disappointing campaign were hampered by an early collapse.
The introduction of spinner Shakib Al Hasan accounted for opening duo Prithvi Shaw and Jason Roy, while Daredevils skipper Shreyas Iyer was run out following a mix-up with Pant to leave the score at 43-3.

Harshal Patel made 24 to help turn the tide before Pant took centre stage, smashing 15 fours and seven sixes – including a lofted drive over long-on despite having just one hand on the bat – to put the Sunrisers under pressure.

He took a particularly liking to Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 20th over, taking the India seamer for 26 off the final five deliveries following the dismissal of Glenn Maxwell.
While Hales was trapped lbw to Patel for 14 in the second over, the early wicket only allowed captain Williamson to join forces with Dhawan and share a record stand for the franchise.

After a lean spell, Dhawan returned to form on familiar territory, the Delhi-born left-hander adding four sixes to his nine fours as he consistently kept the Sunrisers on course in a perfectly timed pursuit.

Williamson was happy to play second fiddle to his team-mate, though the New Zealander did hit the winning runs off compatriot Trent Boult to see his team over the line with seven balls to spare.(Omnisport)