On April 10, 2018, the fifth match of the IPL season saw Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clash with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The match turned out to be a thrilling encounter, culminating in a narrow victory for the Sunrisers.
Batting first, Rajasthan Royals had a tough time on the pitch, finishing their innings at a modest total of 125 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Sanju Samson was the standout performer for RR, scoring 49 runs from 42 balls, which included five boundaries. The rest of the batting lineup struggled, with only a few notable contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (13 runs) and Rahul Tripathi (17 runs). The SRH bowlers were relentless, with Siddarth Kaul and Shakib Al Hasan each taking two wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, and Billy Stanlake chipped in with a wicket apiece, ensuring RR's innings never gained momentum.
In response, Sunrisers Hyderabad started their innings cautiously. Openers Wriddhiman Saha and Shikhar Dhawan put together an essential partnership, with Dhawan leading the charge by scoring an impressive 78 not out off 57 balls, punctuated by 13 fours and one six. Kane Williamson also contributed significantly towards the end with a steady 36 not out. Despite a few early wickets falling and a late scare, SRH managed to chase down the target successfully, concluding their innings at 127 for 5 in just 15.5 overs, winning the match by 5 wickets with one ball to spare.
This encounter showcased the balance in both teams, but it was the consistent performance of the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup, particularly Dhawan's anchoring role, that ultimately guided them to victory. The match added yet another exciting chapter to the IPL season, setting the stage for more thrilling contests ahead.