SRH vs RCB, 39th match at Hyderabad, May 07 2018 - Ball by Ball Commentary

For the optimistic RCB fans, here's something from our stats editor S Rajesh: "In fact, it's still so open that RCB could go through with 14 without NRR coming into play. they could go through on 14 with three teams on 12 and one on 10."

I'll sign off with this analysis piece that we'd done earlier. What makes the SRH attack so good? Hope to see you tomorrow. Until then, this is Shashank Kishore saying goodbye. Be well, cheers

Ex-correspondent Arun Venugopal says: "David Warner will have a tough time wresting the SRH captaincy back from Kane Williamson once he returns to action."

A very emotional Guruprasad Rao writes: "Its time for Dan Vettori to own up and quit the coach role. Kohli should answer a simple question "Why he shouldn't be in leadership role despite poor failures for the fourth season?"

Santhosh L N: "Time to question Kohli's captaincy. Very poor team selection and didn't see encouraging any new face unlike other team in this entire season."

Kane Williamson is the Player of the Match for a sparkling half-century on a tough surface. "We're playing on tough surfaces, this was another one. We were aiming for 150 and we weren't far away, so we were right in the game. With the ball, we struggled a little bit, fielding was sloppy. In hindsight, if fielding was clinical, we could've operated better, but to come away with a win with some of our experienced campaigners stepping up was superb. Bhuvi and Sid Kaul have done it for a long period of time, did very well last year, doing well this year. Hope we can continue to back them at the death. It's just about trying to adapt to the surfaces at a number of venues. We spoke about the playoffs. It's about improving. As a fielding group, we pride ourselves on being better. Still with bat and ball, there are things we need to touch upon."

On his knock: It was hard work initially. It was nice to get a few boundaries away towards the end. It was a tough surface to get momentum. It was about partnerships to put up a competitive total. Often we see on flat surfaces it's 180-200. On these surfaces, you've to take that out of the mind."

Prashanth : "Can't wait to see Rashid and Mujeeb in tandem against India."

SRH, who are now sitting pretty on 16 points, have batted first four times this IPL and defended their score on all occasions.

118 v MI

132 v KXIP

151 v RR

146 v RCB

Shows how they're the best bowling side!

Gaurav Sundararaman: "This result has only ensured that MI have a very good chance to make the final 4. They must be pleased with this result."

How do SRH manage to defend totals like these? The secret: solid bowling depth, empowering their bowlers to take smart decisions, according to Kane Williamson. If it's not Bhuvneshwar, it's Sandeep. If not for Sandeep, it's Kaul. If it's none of them, it's Rashid.

RCB can kiss goodbye to their 2018 campaign? Well, not yet. There's still a very very slim mathematical chance, but really, you'd be living in an alternate universe to believe the stars will align themselves. All said and done, they still have to win their remaining games, which under the current circumstances looks very very tough. Dan Vettori and the RCB team management have a lot of questions to answer.

Virat Kohli, the losing captain: "That's how this game goes. Not good enough, not up to the mark. We deserve to lose this game. Didn't show enough application. The kind of shots we played were not on at that stage. Mandeep, de Grandhomme showed there was a chance if you got stuck in. This has been the story of our season. 10-15 lesser would've been ideal, should have done better with the ball, we were upto the mark on the field. If you have strong characters, you will always do well. SRH had a few guys who did well under pressure, that's been the story of their season. They understand strengths, know their limitations. That's why they've been successful. From the bowling point of view, SRH is the strongest. Overall, maybe you'd pick Kings XI or CSK."

Prateek : "Mighty impressed with Rashid khan...he is definitely a legend in making... wondering what will he do on spinning tracks.. probably will rip the opposition apart."

RCB need a six off the last ball to stay alive in this tournament.

Bhuvneshwar. He has 11 to defend.

Tension building. Here's Sid Kaul