IPL 2021: Kane Williamson hails Jason Roy as SRH end losing streak

Kane Williamson heaped praise on Jason Roy after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finally ended their losing streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Monday.

Roy was named the Player of the Match for scoring a 42-ball 60 as SRH defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by seven wickets. It was SRH's only second win this season from 10 matches. Roy, who made his SRH debut on Monday, came in for struggling David Warner.

"It's a good feeling, some real clarity in roles as well and it's nice to be back to winning ways. There were a couple of periods of play that were quite significant and we closed nicely with the ball and to get off the start with the bat like that and it was never easy, had to weather some storms with the ball holding up.

It's nice to finish with a win. Any team he comes in he (Roy) brings that, did what he does take the game and it's nice to see him do well. Nice contribution for him. A couple of days now between games, important for us to recover and we have to adapt and make some adjustments. Always a tough team to beat and for us it's about to worry about our game and play with that smile on the face," SRH captain Williamson said at the post-match presentation after his side's win over RR.

During SRH's chase of 165 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, openers Roy and Wriddhiman Saha put up 57 runs for the first wicket. RR spinner Mahipal Lomror drew first blood as he dismissed Saha for a 11-ball 18 in 5.1 overs. Roy then shared a crucial 57-run stand with skipper Williamson for the second wicket to bring SRH's chase back on the track.

Even after Roy departed in the 12th over, Williamson, along with Abhishek Sharma, finished the job for the Orange Army. Williamson and Abhishek remained unbeaten on 51 off 41 and 21 off 16 respectively.

"Makes me extremely happy. Really thankful and grateful for Sunrisers for the opportunity. I'm extremely happy and even more so because we got over the line. He (Saha) was instrumental in that partnership, allowed me to relax a little bit and really happy with that. We obviously had a tough tournament, but to come out and play like that with a smile on the face, we gotta keep our feet grounded and keep doing the right things," England batsman Roy said on Monday.

Earlier in the game, RR captain Sanju Samson top-scored with 82 off 57 after he opted to bat in Dubai. RR opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 36 off 23 balls.