David Warner smashed a blistering 126 as Sunrisers Hyderabad recorded their highest IPL total in a comfortable 48-run win over leaders Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday night (AEST).
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Warner hit 10 fours and eight maximums from his 59 balls in a staggering innings as Sunrisers made 3-209, a score that proved too much for Kolkata to chase down.
The Australian - now the top run-scorer in this season's tournament - was supported by opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (29 off 30) before Kane Williamson's brisk 40 from 25 helped the hosts past the 200 mark.
Chris Woakes (1-46) and Kuldeep Yadav (0-43) came in for the heaviest punishment for KKR, who fell well short in their chase to end on 7-161 despite Robin Uthappa continuing his stellar form with four fours and as many sixes in his 28-ball 53.
Wow @davidwarner31 Unbelievable. This is power hitting at its very best
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 30, 2017
Warner cleared the ropes for the first time in just the second over and his relentless hitting saw his side to a dominant position at 0-79 at the end of the powerplay.
He brought up his fifty from just 20 balls, while it took him only 23 more to reach three figures - not with a boundary, but via a scampered two to deep midwicket.
Williamson hit five fours in a useful innings that maintained his side's momentum, which carried over into the reply as both KKR openers were removed with just 12 on the board.
VIDEO: BOOM BOOM WARNER! Sit back, relax and enjoy the @davidwarner31 show https://t.co/g0Tc7oSYkr @SunRisers #IPL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2017
Uthappa and Manish Pandey (39) launched a counter-attack for KKR, although a 45-minute rain delay halted their progress, Mohammed Siraj and Siddarth Kaul both returning 2-26 as Sunrisers moved to within a point of the leaders.
There we go, it's done and dusted, we win by 48 runs.The Fortress is ours! #OrangeArmy #RiseOfOrange #SRHvKKR
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 30, 2017