The Albany Gazette - Kishan shines as Hyderabad defeat Bengaluru

Kishan hit seven fours and five sixes in his sparkling 48-ball knock to help Hyderabad post a formidable 231-6 off 20 overs in Lucknow.

Bengaluru, who have already qualified for the playoffs, were bowled out for 189 off 19.5 overs in reply.

The win helped restore some pride for Hyderabad who have been eliminated from the playoffs.

"It was probably one of the best wickets to bat on throughout the tournament," said Hyderabad's Jaydev Unadkat.

"The message was to try and make things happen. Our bowlers were spot on."

Bengaluru started their chase positively with openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli laying a strong foundation.

Kohli looked in supreme touch, hitting paceman Harshal Patel over deep extra cover for four and then following it up with another boundary over mid-off on the next ball.

His 43-run innings was cut short when he holed out to Abhishek Sharma off left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. He hit seven fours and a six in his 25-ball knock.

After a cautious start, Salt (62) opened up to play some delectable shots and delight the crowds at the Ekana stadium.

After Salt's departure, Bengaluru lost wickets in quick succession, including three in the space of five balls.

Pat Cummins (3-28) and Eshan Malinga (2-37) impressed the most among Hyderabad bowlers.

"They played very well. I didn't have any answers for their attack," said Bengaluru skipper Jitesh Sharma.

"We were rusty. The intensity was not there initially."

Earlier, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head gave Hyderabad a flying start, going after the bowlers with disdain after Bengaluru won the toss and put Hyderabad in to bat.

But Bengaluru fought back, with Lungi Ngidi having Abhishek caught at backward square leg by Salt for 34.

Abhishek smashed three fours and three sixes in his 17-ball knock.

Head (17) was out soon after, with Hyderabad being reduced to 54-2 by the fifth over.

Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen (24) then rebuilt the innings with a 48-run stand off 27 balls for the third wicket.

A quickfire 26 off just nine balls by Aniket Verma provided momentum to Hyderabad innings but the day belonged to Kishan.

The left-hander punished the lacklustre Bengaluru bowlers, as Hyderabad smashed 43 runs in the final three overs.

(W.Walker--TAG)