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Xtra Time Web Desk: England opener Jason Roy made an immediate impact in IPL 2021 as he and Kane Williamson struck brilliant half centuries to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to 7 wickets win over Rajasthan Royals on Monday night. Opting to bat, the Royals scored 164 for six courtesy a captain’s knock from Sanju Samson who scored 82. However, the score proved insufficient as Roy (60 off 42) and Williamson (51 not out)-led the team to their only second win of the season. The loss has dented the Royals' playoff chances as they remained at the sixth spot with eight points while Sunrisers, remained at the bottom of the table with 4 points.

Now four teams - Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians are tied on eight points each and are in contention for the play-offs race. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals are guaranteed of a berth in play offs with 16 points each with Royal Challengers Bangalore also likely to make it.

Chasing 165, Roy, playing his first match for Sunrisers, and Wriddhiman Saha (18 off 11) raced to 57 for no loss. The two plundered 18 runs of the fifth over, bowled by Chris Morris that included four boundaries. The fine partnership was broken by spinner Mahipal Lomror (1/22).

Williamson and Roy, without taking much risk, continued to milk runs to take Sunrisers to 90 for one in 10 overs. Roy was dropped on 55 by Yashasvi Jasiwal off Rahul Tewatia but was caught off rookie pacer Chetan Sakaria (1/32) soon after. Priyam Garg (0) got out on the first ball as the Royals seem to be making a comeback. But Williamson and young Abhishek Sharma (21) then led the side over the line.

Earlier, Samson produced his second consecutive fifty in IPL 2021. The RR captain hit seven boundaries and three sixes in his impressive 57-ball innings. He is now the leading run-scorer (433) of the season, surpassing Delhi Capitals' Shikhar Dhawan (430).

Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) and Mahipal Lomror (29 not out), were the other two batters to provide valuable contributions on a wicket where the ball did not come on to the bat easily for a major part of Royals innings.