IPL 2018: Leading Run-Scorers, Highest Wicket-Takers and More T20 Stats

Thursday was a day for the bowlers in the Indian Premier League, as the Hyderabad Sunrises overcame Kings XI Punjab by 13 runs in a low-scoring game.

The Sunrisers posted a meagre score of 132 for six after batting first, in part due to an inspired bowling performance from Ankit Rajpoot, who took a competition-best five wickets for just 14 runs.

However, Kings XI were unable to make the most of his efforts, as they were skittled out for 119 in 19.2 overs, with Rashid Khan, Basil Thampi and Sandeep Sharma in form with the ball.

The victory puts the Sunrisers up into second place behind the Chennai Super Kings, jumping past King XI who are relegated to third.

Here are the leaders in the individual statistics after Match 25 of the 2018 IPL and a look back at the best of the action from the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

Batsmen (Player, Team, Runs, Average)

1. Ambati Rayudu, Chennai Super Kings, 283, 47.16

2. AB De Villiers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, 280, 56.00

3. Lokesh Rahul, Kings XI Punjab, 268, 38.28

4. Kane Williamson, Sunrisers Hyderabad, 259, 43.16

5. Chris Gayle, Kings XI Punjab, 252, 126.00

Bowlers (Player, Team, Runs, Wickets)

1. Mayank Markande, Mumbai Indians, 143, 10

2. Siddarth Kaul, Sunrisers Hyderabad, 197, 9

3. Rashid Khan, Sunrisers Hyderabad, 201, 9

4. Andrew Tye, Kings XI Punjab, 218, 9

5. Umesh Yadav, Royal Challengers Bangalore, 195, 9

For the figures in full visit the IPL Website.

Rajpoot Stars in Defeat for Kings XI

After winning the toss and putting the home side into bat, it was vital Kings XI made early inroads. In Rajpoot, they had the perfect man to do so on the day.

He bowled three overs consecutively to start the innings and was in sublime form. First, he seized the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson for a duck, while in the third and fifth overs he got rid of Shikhar Dhawan (11) and Wriddiham Saha (six), respectively.

In the end, the Sunrisers were only able to get to a respectable total thanks to a mature knock of 54 from Manish Pandey. 

Tsering Topgyal/Associated Press

However, as noted by cricket author Sorabh Pant, Kings XI did let the experienced batsman off the hook during his innings:

Just as Hyderabad sought to build momentum for a big finish, Rajpoot was brought back into the attack and he shut down any hopes of a late surge with some pinpoint bowling in the last over, finally getting rid of Pandey and then Mohammad Nabi with the final ball.

While the conditions were favourable for bowling, it was a stunning effort from Rajpoot. The 24-year-old was not dangerous, but economical too. Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif was full of praise for the Kings XI star:

Unfortunately for the bowler, his batsmen were unable to back up that performance, as Hyderabad were on fire with the ball.

Instead of relying on an inspired solo display, Hyderabad worked as a unit. While Kings XI made it to 55 for no loss at one stage, once Lokesh Rahul (32) and Chris Gayle (23) were dislodged in quick succession, the collapse started.

In the end, they were all out for just 119. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle was not impressed with the batting:

Meanwhile, Prragyan Ojha praised the work done by the Hyderabad bowlers, with Khan the pick finishing with figures of three for 19:

"The bowlers have been operating really smartly. And our fielding and energy is great," said Sunrisers skipper Williamson afterward, per the IPL website. "The guys have been fantastic, the way they've managed to fight, a lot of credit to the bowlers, the lengths they hit to get their wickets."