Shikhar Dhawan blasts 30-ball fifty for Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Daredevils

Shikhar Dhawan reached his 43rd T20 fifty and only the second of this season of Indian Premier League (IPL) to help Sunrisers Hyderabad inch toward the massive target of 188 set by Delhi Daredevils on Thursday. (HIGHLIGHTS)

The Delhi batsman has struggled this season and barring knocks in the first two matches of the season, he had been failing to get his side to good starts. Before this game, he was averaging just about 28. However, this game at his home ground turned out to be the one where he stood up to be noticed, reaching his fifty off just 30 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. (SCORECARD)

While hosts Delhi Daredevils, riding on a brilliant 128-run knock from Rishabh Pant, had set up a huge target, SRH showed no nerves even after losing an early wicket as local boy Dhawan’s experience came good. He chugged along nicely, reaching his fifty and stitching a 100-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Kane Williamson in just over 10 overs.

The SRH duo began well, putting the pressure on the opposition by collecting singles and doubles and ensuring that the scorecard kept moving even as boundaries were hard to come by in the powerplay overs.

Dhawan smashed a four and six off Boult, in the sixth over of the innings, later opening up against Vijay Shankar right after the strategic break. He hit a four over long-off and then helped one for a six towards deep square leg. That set him and SRH off to a smooth march onwards.