IPL 2018, SRH vs KXIP: Three Masterstrokes from the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab

It was a battle between the two best teams so far in the tournament who were coming on the back of wins in a low scoring thriller. Sunrisers Hyderabad was hosting Kings XI Punjab at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal in Hyderabad.

Been put into bat, Sunrisers didn’t start off well as they lost too many in the powerplay. They were troubled by the KXIP at regular intervals as Ankit Rajpoot bagged a maiden five-wicket hall for the Kings to restrict the Orange Army at 132 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

However, Kings XI began brilliantly with no wickets lost in the first six overs. But it was just a matter of time when that one wicket opened the gates for Sunrisers to make a comeback into the game.

It was eventually another low-scoring thriller that saw a serious bounce back from the home team to move up to the second spot on the table as 13 runs became the difference between the two teams.

Let's take a look at some of the MasterStrokes from the game:

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#1 Bowling Ankit Rajpoot for three overs on the trot in the powerplay

Rajpoot claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in IPL

This was the ultimate game-changing moment for the visitors that certainly set the game for them in the beginning.

Rajpoot bowled a splendid spell upfront to put the visitors under pressure which caught them off guard to restrict them to a paltry 132.

He was brilliant in his first over to get the big scalp of Kane Williamson that forced Ashwin to give the youngster with three consecutive overs on the trot.

In his next over, he dismissed the mighty Shikhar Dhawan and then was able to send Wriddhiman Saha back in the hut.

He has been one of the most economical bowlers in this year's IPL and has helped the team to a great start.

#2 Williamson stunning with his captaincy

Williamson's captaincy has been impressive this season

The Kiwi skipper was once again right on the money with his field placements and the rotation of bowlers.

It was for the second consecutive time that he was leading a side that was short of runs on the board.

Things looked to go from bad to worse after the start Kings XI got in the first six overs but the cool head in Kane stuck to his own plan.

He was ably supported by his fielders and the bowlers who gave him every possible ray of hope to turn things around for their side.

Be it bowling Rashid Khan as late as in the eighth over or asking Sandeep Sharma to bowl his three over on the trot in the powerplay to contain runs at the beginning, Williamson was banged on with his plans.

#3 Manish Pandey taking his own good time

Pandey played a stellar knock

In a game when many were finding it difficult to read the pitch and get going from the ball one, Manish Pandey played a stellar knock to see his team through to a defendable total.

At one stage, when many reckoned him to be going at a slow pace, it was a game-defining knock from the experienced campaigner.

He looked scratchy but that was the nature of the wicket but he still managed to get his way past to a half-century in 48 balls.

In trying to up the ante, he perished at 54 off 51 balls but by the time saw his team in strong position considering the way Kings XI batted in the latter half of the match.