Kane Williamson begins IPL 2017 campaign with a fiery 89 vs Delhi Daredevils

Kane Williamson’s 51-ball 89 powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to 191/4 in their IPL 2017 clash against Delhi Daredevils on Wednesday. SRH ultimately won by 15 runs.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kane Williamson kicked off his IPL 2017 campaign with a magnificent half-century against Delhi Daredevils at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal on Wednesday. (SRH vs DD: LIVE UPDATES)

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kane Williamson scored a brilliant 89 in his maiden IPL 2017 game vs Delhi Daredevils. (BCCI)

After electing to bat, SRH lost skipper David Warner cheaply but Shikhar Dhawan and Williamson piled on runs at will, punishing all loose balls coming their way. (SRH vs DD: LIVE SCORECARD)

The 26-year-old began his innings on a cautious note as he hit just one boundary by the end of powerplay overs. In the seventh over, Williamson broke the shackles as he smashed consecutive sixes off Angelo Mathews. First, he picked the length early and smacked over square leg. The second one was a slower delivery, Williamson came down the track and lofted it over long-off. With Dhawan also going well, Sunrisers Hyderabad played just four dots between over 7 and 10. The New Zealand captain played the aggressor’s role in the partnership and brought up his second IPL half-century off 33 balls.

The duo put on a 136-run partnership - the 10th century stand for SRH in IPL. Warner was involved in each of them before this game.

Williamson was finally dismissed for 89 by Chris Morris when he tried to flick but instead got a top edge and Shreyas Iyer completed a stunning catch at deep mid-wicket. Dhawan also lost his wicket to Morris for 70. SRH put on 191/4, courtesy the duo. DD, in reply, could manage only 176/5 in 20 overs.

In the first six overs, Williamson scored just 12 off 14 balls. After powerplay, he hammered 77 off 37 with five fours and as many sixes, at a strike rate of 208.10.