The Sun rose in the South this week as IPL cricket team Sunrisers Hyderabad won the title for the first time, beating three-time finalists Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs in an exciting match at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.
Winning the toss the team put up a challenging target of 209 for Royals, Hyderabad bowlers were on fire as they stumped RCB’s star-studded batting line up at 200 for 7 wickets in 20 overs, though they were confronted by RCB openers Chris Gayle and skipper Virat Kohli, who posted 114 in first 10 overs.
Powering into the IPL final for the third time after knocking two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator by 22 runs on May 25 and taming debutant Gujarat Lions in the second qualifier by four wickets on May 27 in New Delhi, Sunrisers had won the title that was much deserved. "When Gayle was going great guns, we knew it was difficult to stop him. The hardest thing for us was to maintain composure and have belief in ourselves. We know once he was gone, it would be difficult for the second and the third batsmen to pick up the momentum," a beaming captain David Warner told reporters as the golden Trophy shone next to him.
Crediting his whole team for the dramatic win after a marathon run to the final, Warner said they would like to first enjoy the victory and thank everybody for supporting SH throughout. Hailing Warner for leading a talented team to lift the trophy, Sunrisers’ head coach Tom Moody said the Aussie southpaw had an enormous influence on the players, as he was a world class cricketer, hard-working and very disciplined.
"I enjoy working with him. He has been phenomenal with his batting and an incredible captain, providing leadership and being one step ahead of others. David has been very supportive of his team and backed them fully to give their best," Moody said.
Warner is the third Australian cricket player to lift the IPL trophy after Shane Warne did in the opening edition of the IPL in 2008 as captain of the now suspended Rajasthan Royals and Adam Gilchrist as skipper of Deccan Chargers, who beat RCB in the second edition of the IPL at Johannesburg in South Africa in 2009.
The 2016 IPL series has closed. It was fairly entertaining with a little something for everyone. Virat was on firing, reaching the ranks of masterblaster Sachin Tendulkar, (well, almost), and Gayle showed everyone who's boss. The 9th edition of the Indian Premier League has ended, leaving behind nothing but memories.
3 most memorable moments of IPL 2016
Kohli’s 4th IPL century with 8 stitches
2016 is the year of Virat Kohli. When he pointed to his left hand after scoring his fourth IPL century of the season, everyone wondered what the RCB skipper was gesturing about. With multiple stitches on his webbing in the left-hand, the right-hander scored a magical 113 off 50 balls to keep his team alive in the playoff race back then. The Indian Test skipper’s ability to play through the pain helped him and his franchise in getting to the final before they came unstuck against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Axar Patel’s hat-trick
The only hat-trick of this year’s IPL came from Kings XI Punjab spinner Axar Patel in the match against Gujarat Lions. The left-arm spinner took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick to help Kings XI Punjab register a 23-run win against Gujarat Lions. Chasing a moderate total of 155, the Lions had already lost Brendon McCullum and skipper Suresh Raina before Axar came to bowl. But the spinner destroyed all Gujarat hopes of a win with a spell of 4-0-21-4.
Dhoni’s final overdrive
We all agree M S Dhoni is one of the best finishers in world cricket. However, Captain Cool failed to produce enough memorable knocks in this season to take his team to the IPL playoffs. Having lost out on the last four race, Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab took on each for the wooden spoon in their last match of the season.
