Credit: @SunRisers
This match belonged to David Warner, his breathtaking century, the second-fastest in IPL history at that time
On this day, April 30th, 2017, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad witnessed a spectacle -- a one-man demolition squad named David Warner. The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener wasn't just opening the innings; he was declaring war. His second century in the IPL, a masterpiece of power-hitting and calculated aggression, would leave the Kolkata Knight Riders attack in tatters and rewrite IPL history.
From the very first ball of the inning, Warner's intentions were clear. He charged down the track against Nathan Coulter-Nile, the KKR's striker, showcasing his aggressive approach. Boundaries flowed like water as Warner tore into Umesh Yadav and Chris Woakes, putting the Hyderabad innings on a fast track.
Gautam Gambhir, the KKR captain, tried various tactics to curb Warner's onslaught. Yusuf Pathan, known for his success against left-handers, was brought into the attack early. But even Pathan couldn't contain the Warner juggernaut. The Australian opener launched him for a flurry of boundaries, leaving the KKR bowlers with nowhere to hide.
Credit: @SunRisers
Warner with his iconic celebration
Warner's innings weren't just about brute force; they were a combination of power and calculated risks. He attempted a boundary with every other ball, and on this night, luck seemed to favour the brave. A misjudged catch by Woakes off Umesh Yadav's slower ball gave Warner a reprieve, and he capitalised on it with a ruthless display of batting.
Another dropped catch by Woakes, this time when Warner was on 86, proved to be another pivotal moment. The Hyderabad opener, fueled by this extra life, continued to dismantle the KKR bowling, peppering all boundaries with a variety of audacious strokes.
While Warner's initial assault grabbed the headlines, the latter part of the inning saw a shift in approach. Umesh Yadav, with his pace variations, managed to slow down the scoring rate. Shikhar Dhawan, Warner's opening partner, struggled for fluency, but the duo had laid a solid foundation.
Warner's eventual dismissal for 126, a knock that came off just 59 balls, included an astonishing 18 boundaries. The classy Kane Williamson provided valuable support with a 25-ball 40, ensuring that Hyderabad crossed the 200-run mark—the highest total of the tournament at that point.
Credit: @PlanetKKR
David Warner's 126 helps Sunrisers Hyderabad floor Kolkata Knight Riders
Chasing a mammoth target of 210, the KKR innings started poorly. The early dismissals of Narine and Gambhir left them on the back foot. However, Robin Uthappa, showcasing a fighting spirit, played a defiant knock.
He played Rashid Khan, the Hyderabad leg-spinner known for his guile, with disdain, slogging him for two enormous sixes. His 28-ball 53, laced with four sixes and four boundaries, provided a glimmer of hope for KKR.
Uthappa's dismissal in the 13th over to a Mohammed Siraj slower ball proved to be a turning point. With 101 runs required off just 45 balls and the second-best bowling attack in the IPL standing in their way, the task proved too daunting for the remaining KKR batsmen.
The Hyderabad bowlers, with their disciplined approach, ensured that KKR never got back into the contest. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, and Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets each, restricting KKR to a total of 161 for 7.
