IPL 2021: Orange Cap, Purple Cap, points table after Match 3 (SRH vs KKR)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) began their Indian Premier League 2021 campaign on a positive note after beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 10 runs in Match 3 of the Indian Premier League on Sunday, April 11.

IPL 2021 Match 3, SRH vs KKR: Social media reactions

Orange Cap

Nitish Rana scored 80 runs off just 56 balls with the help of nine fours and four sixes. He fell just five short to capture the Orange Cap from Shikhar Dhawan, who sits proudly at the top. Of course, this is theoretical, for the cap is not awarded until every team plays at least one match. Rana was also adjudged Player of the Match for his terrific knock.

Rahul Tripathi too made a valuable contribution, scoring a quickfire 53. Both of them guided KKR to set up a challenging total of 187/6 in twenty overs.

In reply, SRH lost both openers – David Warner and Wriddhiman Saha – inside three overs. Manish Pandey and Jonny Bairstow then steadied the SRH’s innings. While Pandey made 61 not out in 44 balls, Bairstow got dismissed at 55.

Purple Cap

Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He picked two crucial wickets and conceded just 24 runs from his quota of four overs. His compatriot Mohammed Nabi also finished the game with two wickets.

For the Knight Riders, Prasidh Krishna chipped away with a couple of wickets. With five wickets in his first game, Harshal Patel is the current holder of Purple Cap. Shakib Al Hasan, Pat Cummins and Andre Russell picked a wicket each.

Points Table

Delhi Capitals maintained their lead at the top of the points table on the basis of net run rate. KKR are in a close second, followed by RCB and SRH. CSK languishes at the bottom, after losing their opening encounter by a heavy margin.

Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings are yet to start their campaign. They will face each other on Monday, 12 April.