Chasing a 200-plus total against a good bowling attack in a T20 game is never easy. And losing your skipper, and arguably your best batsman, to a controversial decision in the second over doesn’t help either. That’s what Sunrisers Hyderabad experienced at the MCA Stadium here on Tuesday during a one-sided loss to Rajasthan Royals in their IPL-15 opener.

Close call

Sunrisers skipper Kane Williamson edged a Prasidh Krishna delivery but Royals’ wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, diving to his right, saw the ball pop out of his gloves only to be pouched by Devdutt Padikkal, diving forward at first slip. Williamson stood his ground and the on-field umpires went upstairs. Television replays showed it was extremely close and the third umpire ruled Williamson out. The decision didn’t go down well with the Sunrisers team management.