Opener Shikhar Dhawan smashed an unbeaten 82 off just 57 balls to steer Sunrisers Hyderabad to a challenging 177/3 in 20 overs against Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here on Sunday.
Dhawan's impressive knock comprised 10 boundaries and one six. He was well supported from the other end by Yuvraj Singh (39 off 23 balls).
Put in to bat on a hot and humid afternoon, Sunrisers got off to a flying start, courtesy in-form openers David Warner (48) and Dhawan. The duo added 51 runs without losing any wickets after the completion of the powerplay.
Warner kept up his sublime form in the cash rich T20 tournament going as he closed in on yet another half-century before he gave his wicket away in the 10th over to have Hyderabad at 85/1.
The left-hander struck seven boundaries and one six in his 33-ball innings.
Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh who had dismissed Warner earlier, helped Mumbai get back into the game by getting rid of incoming batsman Kane Williamson (2) in the 12th over to put a check on the Hyderabad run flow.
Despite two wickets falling at quick succession, Dhawan and incoming batsman Yuvraj used their experience to best effect to not let team's run-rate fall.
Both the left-handed batsmen sneaked in with ones, twos and in the death overs brought in handy boundaries and couple of sixes to have team on course for a competitive total.
The duo managed to put on a much needed 85-run partnership for the third wicket to help team to a good total.
Harbhajan Singh (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai.
Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 177/3 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 82 not out; Harbhajan Singh 2/29) vs Mumbai Indians.
--IANS
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