SRH vs RR | Player Ratings - Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes failure costs Rajasthan Royals a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Ajinkya Rahane (8.5/10): The Royals skipper played a proper captain’s innings and dodging the tricky Hyderabad surface, he scored a crafty 70 which meant the team didn’t have to suffer a lot after Jos Buttler’s dismissal. The way he accelerated after playing out 29 deliveries was of another level and now, Twitter is flooded with #RahaneForNo4 hashtags. 

Jos Buttler (2/10): Probably the Makand controversy was still playing to his mind as the opener struggled during his brief stay in the middle to be dismissed for five. The manner of the dismissal was also very anti-Buttler as he shuffled way too much despite Rashid Khan drifting the ball more with an inward angle. One off? Possibly!

Sanju Samson (9.5/10): What an innings that was! Samson, who was once touted as Dhoni's heir apparent, had lost himself or perhaps undermined his talent, but there have been periodic reminders that he belongs to the stage. This innings was a validation of sorts and if he can break out of the cycle of self-doubt for better and bigger things in life.

Ben Stokes (4.5/10): When he came out to bat in the 17th over, Samson was batting on a different planet and he just had to play the second fiddle, but his bowling gave a nightmare to his team until he sent David Warner packing to bring the Royals back in the game. That restored some parity but nowhere close to good.

Steve Smith (6/10): While the host broadcaster built up the clash, with the tagline of Smith vs Warner, it is a shame that the former Royals skipper didn’t get to bat tonight. Somewhere he was very happy for the opportunity though and was his ecstatic face to celebrate Samson’s century was the proof for that.

Rahul Tripathi (6/10): One of their major top-order players last year, but demoting down the order this time for no fault of his, Tripathi might consider himself a touch unfortunate. However, this is how cricket, and especially franchise cricket, works and he can hardly blame anyone for this.

Krishnappa Gowtham (4/10): Was not his day as he conceded as many as 25 runs in two overs inside the powerplay, and Gowtham would be scratching his head in frustration for not getting a crack at redemption. But that was as much he could do, as inspired by a good spell by Jaydev Unadkat, Royals tried a “pacy” comeback.

Jofra Archer (5/10): Ended up giving his bowling figure a torrid look after Rashid Khan hit for a six and four, but no one will disagree with the fact that Archer holds the key to Royals’ success in the tournament. Created a couple of wicket-taking opportunities in the middle-over with his away-going deliveries, but stats would tell you otherwise.

Jaydev Unadkat (7/10): Finally a game to justify his price tag, but when the team falters it is easy to sweep them under the carpet. The pacer was efficient in the middle-overs and played his role to perfection, but one might argue that he escaped the Warner scathing by coming to bowl after 12 overs. Whatever it was, his economy rate of 10 rpo is not something that will miss the bull’s eye. 

Shreyas Gopal (8/10): The Karnataka spinner has done that time and again for his state team and it is no secret that he has it in him to be a successful spinner in the IPL. Today was like the examination day for him and he delivered well by sending three Hyderabad batsmen back to the hut which brought the Royals back in the game. It is a shame that the team ended up on the losing side.

Dhawal Kulkarni (2/10): With Varun Aaron waiting in the wings, it will be very hard for Dhawal Kulkarni to keep on finding a spot in the team with such performances. There was no penetration whatsoever and Kulkarni gifted some of the easiest balls possible to help Warner get to a very good start.