Cricket-Buttler regains form but Hyderabad catch last ball

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler roared back into form but Abdul Samad’s last-gasp heroics ensured Sunrisers Hyderabad had the last laugh in a dramatic Indian Premier League (IPL) contest on Sunday night.

England’s limited-overs captain Buttler started the season well but went into the match without a fifty in his previous six overs, which included a couple of ducks.

The T20 keeper was in his element against Hyderabad as he smashed 95 off 59 balls to help Rajasthan amass 214-2, with skipper Sanju Samson contributing an unbeaten 66 off 38 balls.

The 2008 champions dominated most of Hyderabad’s chase and restricted them to 174-5 after two overs.

But with Hyderabad needing 41 runs from the last two overs, Glenn Phillips, who scored 25 off just seven balls, turned the match on its head.

The big-hitting New Zealander smashed Kuldip Yadav with three consecutive sixes and then a four before offering a skyyer to Shimron Hetmyer.

Defending 17 runs in the final over, Rajasthan’s Sandeep Sharma conceded 12 runs in his first five balls and caught Samad at long off with the next delivery.

Sandeep and his teammates celebrated as the siren went off to confirm that the seamer had crossed, resulting in a free hit.

Samad smashed the last delivery over the bowler’s head for a flat six to seal Hyderabad’s fourth win in 10 matches.

“I was just waiting for the ball to go into the slot eventually and luckily I got a no-ball as well. I got lucky,” Samad told broadcasters.

Rajasthan captain Samson defended Sandeep’s selection to skip the final.

“It’s matches like this that make the IPL so special,” he said.

“I was very confident with Sandeep. He has won us the game in almost a similar situation. He did it again today, but that no-ball actually spoiled our result… Almost everyone celebrated.”

Champions Gujarat Titans beat Lucknow Super Giants by 56 runs in Sunday’s second match to consolidate their position at the top of the points table and inch closer to a play-off spot.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by Peter Rutherford)