Warner's men to meet Gujarat Lions in Friday's final qualifier
Wednesday 25 May 2016 21:13, UK
Sunrisers Hyderabad moved a step closer to the IPL final after beating Kolkata Knight Riders for the first time this season in Wednesday's eliminator.
David Warner's men suffered eight-wicket and 22-run defeats to Knight Riders in the group phase - the second of those results coming just three days ago - but triumphed by 22 runs third time around after successfully defending 162-8.
Sunrisers will now meet Gujarat Lions on Friday for the chance to face Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sunday's final, with Kolkata's exit meaning a new name will be etched onto the IPL trophy this weekend at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Knight Riders were shorn of key all-rounder Andre Russell due to injury but fellow overseas pro, Morne Morkel, dismissed Shikhar Dhawan (10) early in Sunrisers' knock having been bashed for back-to-back boundaries by the Indian.
Warner (28) - dropped on nine - and Moises Henriques (31) lifted Sunrisers to 71-1 in the 10th over but then fell in the space of two balls, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav catching Henriques off his own bowling before cleaning up Warner as the Australian attempted a sweep.
Yadav continued to make an impact, running out Deepak Hooda with a direct hit and having Ben Cutting stumped first ball, while Yuvraj Singh (44) top scored for Sunrisers before Bipul Sharma (14no off 6) biffed two final-over sixes off Morkel.
Hyderabad - third after the group phase, a place above Kolkata - then dismissed Robin Uthappa in the second over, before Yuvraj's excellent run out of Colin Munro (16) saw Knight Riders tumble from 53-1 to 69-4.
Manish Pandey (36) and Suryakumar Yadav (23) threatened to take Knight Riders close, putting on 46 for the fifth wicket, but Sunrisers' economical attack, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-19), came out on top as Kolkata ended on 140-8.
Watch Friday's IPL qualifier between Sunrisers and Gujarat from 3pm on Sky Sports 1, before catching Sunday's final from 3pm on Sky Sports 5.
