Naman Ojha has always been regarded as one of the elegant stroke makers but never got the chance to exhibit his talent. But today, Sunrisers Hyderabad made a masterstroke by promoting this 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman after opener Aaron Finch departed in the ninth over.
Ojha took centre-stage with a dazzling 36-ball 79 that included seven sixes and four fours that lifted Sunrisers to 205 for 5 in 20 overs, their highest total of the season, against Kings XI Punjab at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Ojha began with a long on six off off-spinner Shivam Sharma and then six more over the V-region. With lovely footwork, Ojha danced down to maul Shivam over the sight screen and then over long-on. His fourth six came off medium pacer Rishi Dhawan. The elegant batsman hit sixes off Sandeep Sharma and Dhawan. In fact, Sandeep Sharma proved very expensive as he leaked 65 runs in four overs with 26 coming from his last over.
Ojha added 81 with Australian left-hander David Warner, who made a 23-ball 43 before the pair was separated because of a mix-up. But Ojha continued to revel to see Sunrisers cross the 200-run mark. It was a bad day for the Punjab bowlers. Apart from Sandeep Sharma, Rishi Dhawan and left-arm spinner Akshar Patel went for 40 runs each.
Earlier, skipper Shikhar Dhawan finally found his form. The left-handed opener hit 45 off 37 deliveries before he fell to Rishi Dhawan.
In-form Aaron Finch began with a flourishing four by lofting Sandeep Sharma off the first ball of the day to the cover fence. He followed it up with his second boundary by steering Sharma through point. Finch had a lucky escape when he was caught off a no-ball off Sharma with Glenn Maxwell taking a brilliant running catch at point.
Dhawan, who struggled at the start, took 12 deliveries to strike his first boundary. He straight drove Sandeep Sharma twice and hit the same bowler over the sight-screen for a six. A rattled Sandeep gave away 26 runs in his third over. Sunrisers raced away to 50 in 5.2 overs.
Sandeep, who has bowled superbly this season, was costly and leaked 39 runs from his first three overs. However, Australian left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Johnson bowled accurately to strangle the openers. He did not give room to cut or drive the ball. He gave away only 15 runs from his first three overs.
Dhawan was in full flow and swept left-arm spinner Akshar Patel for his six. But Shivam Sharma struck with his first ball off his second over when he castled Finch’s stumps. The opener was beaten in his cut stroke.
Naman Ojha, who has been impressive in his short innings so far, was promoted in this match and walked in at number three.