No team was dependent on their captain so much as Sunrisers Hyderabad. Warner stood equal to the challenge, raking up 561 runs and picked four Man of the Match awards in his team’s seven wins.
The Australian left-arm pacer missed the first three games but once he marked his run-up, the Royal Challangers Bangalore attack became much more lethal. His 18 wickes in 11 games prove that.
Suspense was writ on thie game throughout. Battered by rain, only 17 overs were possible but tere were some amazing displays. Moises Henriques’ all-round show (57 off 40 balls and 2-3), Chris Gayle’s opening blast (35 off 10 balls) and Virat Kohli’s finishing skills (44no off 19) topped the list but it was Warner’s fielding gaffe that settled the game in Bangalore’s favour.
The 36-year-old vetera left-arm pacer was a revelation with his incisive bowling but it was his spell (4-0-10-4) against Bangalore that was a show-stealer. It broke Royal Challangers Bangalore’s back as Chennai Super Kings cruised to a win.
It’s rare for a captain to step down in the middle of the season to focus on his game. Watson backed that decision with a brilliant 104 not out off 59 balls to set up a crucial win for Rajasthan against Kolkata.
