Sunrisers Hyderabad proved too strong as they registered the first win of IPL 2021 defeating Punjab Kings easily played at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday.

Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul won the toss and decided to bat first. Mayank Agarwal was given a reprieve by Rashid Khan in the very first over itself. SRH bowlers did not allow Rahul and Agarwal to score runs easily. Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the breakthrough getting rid of Rahul providing an easy catch to Kedar Jadhav at midwicket. Chris Gayle struggled to time the ball along with Mayank Agarwal. Despite hitting occasional boundaries, Punjab Kings ended the first six overs at 32 for 1.

After the field restrictions, Khaleel Ahmed took the big wicket of Mayank Agarwal as Rashid Khan took a good low catch diving forward. David Warner produced a superb direct throw to get rid of Nicolas Pooran who did not face any deliveries. Rashid Khan did the magic for SRH dismissing Chris Gayle in his first over rapped on the pads to leave Punjab Kings in big trouble at 47 for 4. With that, the first timeout was called.

Siddarth Kaul could not hold a catch as he was not on the boundary. The Sunrisers Hyderabad spinners Abishek Sharma and Rashid Khan did not allow Punjab Kings batsmen to score runs easily.  Abishek struck for SRH getting rid of Deepak Hooda who reviewed the decision for LBW. The decision was upheld. Moises Henriques struggled against SRH spinners while Sharukh Khan played with intent. Henriques was stumped trying to come down the track.  At the end of the second timeout, Punjab Kings looked in deep trouble at 98 for 6.

After the second timeout, Khaleel Ahmed dismissed Fabien Allen and then the dangerous Sharukh Khan. It was a disappointing batting performance as Punjab Kings were skittled out for 120 in 19.4 overs.

Chasing 121 runs to win, SRH openers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow took the attack to Punjab Kings hitting boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking. At the end of the first six overs, SRH made 50 for 0.  With that, the first timeout was called.

After the timeout, SRH openers continued to dominate Punjab Kings bowlers. Fabien Allen provided the much-needed breakthrough getting rid of Warner providing an easy catch to Agarwal at deep-midwicket. Bairstow looked determined and completed his fifty off 48 balls. At the end of the second timeout, SRH scored 91 for 1.

Punjab Kings bowlers put some pressure on Bairstow and Williamson. Bairstow did the job for SRH to remain not out. Arshdeep Singh bowled a wide delivery as SRH register 9 wickets win with 8 balls to spare.

Sunrisers Hyderabad 121 for 1 in 18.4 overs (Bairstow 63*, Warner 37, Allen 1/22) beat Punjab Kings 120 in 19.4 overs ( Sharukh Khan 22, Mayank Agarwal 22, Khaleel Ahmed 3/21, Abishek Sharma 2/24) by 9 wickets.

With this win, SRH moved up to 5^th place in the points table. For his unbeaten 63 off 56 balls, Jonny Bairstow was awarded the man of the match.