Sanjay Bangar in awe of SRH’s new find after brutal takedown of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult

Sanjay Bangar hailed SRH's new star, who smacked an unbeaten knock of 30 runs off 10 balls vs MI on Wednesday.

Published on: Apr 30, 2026, 18:09:21 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Sanjay Bangar was left impressed with Salil Arora after the 23-year-old's unbeaten 10-ball 30, which was pivotal in Sunrisers Hyderabad's six-wicket win against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. The result saw SRH stitch together a five-match winning streak, and Bangar praised Arora's understanding of the situation and game plan.

The SRH player dispatched Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult for sixes and fours.

Chasing 244 runs, SRH needed 32 off the final four overs, but lost Nitish Kumar Reddy (21 off 17 balls) in the second ball of the 17th over. Heinrich Klaasen, who was also unbeaten, was at 59 off 26 balls when Arora arrived at the crease. He straightaway made his ambitions clear with a four, guiding Trent Boult past the diving backward point fielder for a four. Then in the fifth delivery of the next over, he launched Jasprit Bumrah for a six over long-off.

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In the 19th over, he began on strike and top-edged Hardik Pandya for a four past short fine. Then hammered him for a six over wide long-on. The MI skipper responded with a dot, but it wasn't enough, and was then pulled for a six over midwicket as SRH got to 249/4 in 18.4 overs.

Salil's knock saw him slam 30* off 10 balls, packed with two fours and three sixes, and also striking at 300.00. Meanwhile, Klaasen was unbeaten at 65* off 30 deliveries, including seven fours and four maximums, and with a strike rate of 216.67.

‘Standout quality’: Sanjay Bangar

Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar dissected Salil's batting approach. “He stays still, understands the plan, and watches the ball very closely. When he looks to attack, he commits fully to his shots. To execute those shots in a brief 7–8 ball innings is a special skill. It reflects the way players train today, preparing to make an impact in very few deliveries. That’s a standout quality in his batting,” he said.

He is making his IPL debut this season, having been purchased by SRH for ₹1.5 crore. A wicketkeeper-batter, he specialises in the middle order and is a six-hitter. He was Punjab's highest run-scorer in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali, smacking 358 runs at a strike rate of 198.88. In domestic cricket for Punjab, he has made a name for himself as a fearless finisher with an aggressive, power-hitting style. He fits perfectly into the SRH system, complementing their attacking batting template, and it was justified on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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