Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have clinched their place in the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after a commanding 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Qualifier 2 match held in Chennai. Displaying a balanced performance both with the bat and the ball, SRH posted a competitive total of 175, which their bowlers defended with great discipline and skill.
In a high-stakes match that held fans on the edge of their seats, RR won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to exploit any early morning dew to their advantage. SRH, however, came out with their characteristic aggressive approach which has been a hallmark of their campaign this season.
Despite losing wickets in the powerplay, the intent to score remained evident. Abhishek Sharma set the tone by dispatching a six over mid-wicket and a four, but RR’s Trent Boult quickly retaliated by inducing a false shot from Sharma, which was caught on the off-side. SRH stumbled to 57 for three within the first five overs, thanks to Boult who continued to dismantle the lineup by sending Aiden Markram back to the pavilion.
Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi attempted to stabilize the innings amidst this early turbulence. Tripathi, who displayed remarkable composure, took on the bowlers with aplomb. His aggressive stroke play provided the innings with much-needed momentum, smacking boundaries off R Ashwin and Boult. He scored 37 off 15 balls before falling to a slower ball from Boult, which was caught at short third-man.
Head and Heinrich Klaasen then took up the mantle and worked vigilantly to rebuild the innings. Klaasen, in particular, exhibited a masterclass in controlled aggression, steadying the ship through the middle overs. He got into his stride with a massive six off Chahal, showcasing his power-hitting capabilities. However, Head’s vigil ended with a miscalculated shot off Sandeep Sharma, taking SRH to 120 for six.
The last ten overs saw Klaasen come into his own as the leading man. He played with calculated aggression, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. In the 18th over, Klaasen notched up his fifty off 33 balls, providing the SRH bowlers a solid platform to defend. Shahbaz Ahmed, brought in as an Impact Player, contributed a valuable 18 runs, helping push the total to a formidable 175 for nine.
. Among the Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers, Sandeep Sharma (two for 25) and Avesh Khan (three for 27) delivered commendable performances, with Boult also claiming three wickets.
Chasing 176 for a spot in the final, Rajasthan Royals started brightly with Yashaswi Jaiswal leading the charge. Jaiswal exuded confidence, striking Bhuvneshwar for a six over mid-wicket in the very first over. However, SRH’s bowlers quickly gained control when Pat Cummins dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore in the early stages. Jaiswal continued his onslaught in the powerplay, but it was after the sixth over when he truly began to display his prowess, smashing three fours and a six to finish the powerplay at 51 for one.
The middle overs proved to be the turning point of the match. SRH’s spinners, particularly Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, turned the tide in their favor with critical breakthroughs. Shahbaz got Jaiswal out for a well-made 42, caught in the deep. Shortly after, Abhishek Sharma had Sanju Samson caught trying to clear the boundary.
With RR struggling at 80 for five by the 12th over, the pressure was palpable. Royan Parag and R Ashwin’s dismissals in Shahbaz’s 12th over ensured SRH maintained a firm grasp on the game. Despite the introduction of Impact Player Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell, they found it challenging to score freely against the disciplined SRH bowling attack.
Dhruv Jurel, the lone fighter for RR, offered some resistance with a gritty fifty off 26 balls, displaying resilience amidst a cascade of falling wickets. However, the task proved too high, and Rajasthan Royals eventually fell short by 36 runs.
The standout performers for SRH included the dynamic left-arm spin duo, Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, who took five wickets between them, conceding only 47 runs in their combined eight overs. This disciplined bowling ensured SRH a rematch with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final, setting up an exciting climax to the TATA IPL 2024.
With their performance in Qualifier 2, Sunrisers Hyderabad have shown that their blend of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling can take them all the way. All eyes will now be on the final clash in Chennai, where they will battle for the coveted title.