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Xtra Time Web Desk: In a nailbiter clash between North and South in match 23, Sunrisers Hyderabad edged past Punjab Kings by 2 runs at Mohali on 9^th April. Winning the toss, Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan chose to bowl first. An excellent batting display from Nitish Kumar Reddy helped SRH to reach a competitive total of 182 even though wickets kept on falling in the first 10 overs. In response Punjab could only make runs.

20-year-old Nitish Kumar showcased his prowess by notching up his first T20 fifty in his fourth IPL match, demonstrating his potential in a remarkable rescue performance for SunRisers against Punjab in Mullanpur. Amidst the disappointment of prominent players such as Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram faltering, the emerging all-rounder from Visakhapatnam stole the limelight, dismantling the Punjab bowling attack with a blistering 32-ball fifty, marking his grand entrance onto the grand stage. Nitish's audacious hook shot against the formidable Kagiso Rabada, who was in prime form with the new ball, left spectators in sheer admiration. Punjab bowlers were all over Hyderabad batters in the first 10 overs, but as the dew started coming batting became easier afterwards. SRH made 100+ runs in the last 10 overs. Arshdeep got two breakthroughs in his very first over, took four wickets in total and completed his 150 wickets in T20s. SRH made their lowest powerplay on the season (40-3).

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The Punjab batters did not start not start well; wickets kept on falling in regular intervals. Openers Jhonny Bairstow (14) and skipper Dhawan (0) got out cheaply. The run rate was under control until Sikandar Raza was on the crease, but it shot up just after his dismissal. Late firings from Shashank Singh (46 off 25) and Ashutosh Sharma (33 off 15) could not save their team. Nitish opened his wickets book too, got Jitesh Sharma cheaply. The tension escalated in the final over, but they can only fault themselves for dropping three catches, two of which resulted in maximums. Had they held onto those opportunities, victory would have been more assured. Punjab, on the other hand, will feel disheartened, especially after Shashank and Ashutosh brought them close to victory. However, fate had other plans as they fell short by a mere two runs in the end.

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