Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Vijay Shankar was pleased to have contributed with both bat and ball in what for him was a "do or die" encounter against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday (October 22) in Dubai. 

Shankar bowled an economical spell of 1/15 to help SRH restrict RR to 154/6, before he made an intelligent half-century (52*) in the second half as the 2016 champions won by eight wickets to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

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During the run-chase, Shankar played a sensible, calculative hand in an excellent third-wicket stand with his more aggressive partner Manish Pandey (83*) after the early loss of SRH's dangerous openers David Warner (4) and Jonny Bairstow. 

"We both knew that we had to stay in the middle to take the game deep and if you ask me personally, it was a do or die game for me," said Shankar during the post-match press conference, as quoted by ANI. 

"That is how I saw this game, I did not have the best of time with the bat and this was a do or die game for me. I had to perform. Really happy to go out and play such an innings for the team."

The win was only SRH's fourth in ten outings, but still a timely one as the race to get the fourth spot intensifies. Shankar believes superb overall performance and victory over RR will prove a turnaround for his team. 

"I think in the last couple of games, we were really, really close and we slipped in the last minute. I think a win like this will give confidence to each and every individual in the team and we can win the remaining games and keep ourselves alive in the tournament and push to get into the top four," he said. 

SRH next face Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on Saturday (October 24).