England’s Jonny Bairstow and Australia’s David Warner already hold the record for the highest opening partnership in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the duo was in action again on Thursday in Match 22 against Kings XI Punjab.
The wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow and the Aussie opener together added 160 in 15 overs against Punjab which was the major reason behind Hyderabad’s-s 69-run victory in Dubai. The English batsman outscored Warner (52) with 97 but it was the captain of Orange Army who maintained his hot streak against KXIP, bagging his ninth successive half-century. It was their fifth 100-run partnership for SRH in 16 matches, which is one short of what SRH openers Shikhar Dhawan and Warner managed before the latter left for Delhi Capitals.
"I don't know why people think there's so much hatred between the two countries! It's going well, at the moment I'm just giving him strike," said Warner in the post-match presentation ceremony. "Look we really enjoy batting together out there. We tried to take it to them and fortunately enough today we were able to get through the powerplay."
Bairstow, who was declared player of the match for his 97 off 55 balls, hailed Warner for his innings of 52 off 40. "He's (Warner) good fun, we know what a quality player he is. It was his 50th fifty in IPL, that record speaks for itself," said Bairstow.
Warner was also all praise for spinner Rashid Khan who took three wickets and conceded just 12 runs in his four overs, one of which was a maiden. "He's (Rashid) a world-class bowler, it's great to have him. He always delivers in pressure situations. He loves that stuffs. What a player," he said.
