Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) displayed an absolutely blistering performance as they cruised to a 10-wicket victory against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. In what can only be described as a complete exhibition of batting dominance, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma led their team to a stunning win, leaving no room for doubt about why the SRH batting lineup is one of the most formidable in the 2024 TATA Indian Premier League (IPL).
Chasing a target of 166, SRH ensured the match was done and dusted in just 9.4 overs, a feat that silenced critics and astonished fans alike. The demolition job started right at the powerplay – a phase that SRH has consistently dominated throughout the tournament. Remarkably, they amassed 107 runs during these initial six overs, effectively sealing the game well before the halfway mark. LSG bowlers were left with no margin for error as the left-handed duo of Head and Abhishek took complete control.
The explosive nature of their batting was encapsulated in the transformation from the first to the second over. While the initial over saw just eight runs, the second over heralded the unleashing of fury. Abhishek dispatched Yash Thakur for four consecutive fours, signaling the beginning of the end for LSG. By the third over, when K Gowtham was brought in to bowl, Travis Head joined the onslaught, hammering 22 runs, including three sixes and a four. KL Rahul’s decision to introduce Ravi Bishnoi in the fourth over proved futile as SRH continued their relentless assault.
Naveen-ul-Haq’s entrance in the fifth over witnessed Head achieving a rapid 16-ball half-century, contributing to the over going for a staggering 23 runs. When Thakur returned for the last over of the powerplay, Abhishek ensured that SRH crossed the 100-run mark swiftly, matching Head shot for shot. Even as the field restrictions lifted, SRH showed no signs of slowing down. Head’s slog-sweeping of the first ball of the seventh over for a six and subsequently Abhishek’s six over long-on to reach his fifty indicated that they were playing with the intent to finish the game in under ten overs.
Eventually, victory was sealed emphatically when Abhishek sent Thakur over covers for a massive six, steering SRH past the target. Head remained unbeaten on 89 off just 30 balls, while Abhishek finished with a brilliant 75 not out off 28 balls.
. Their combined inning featured an astonishing total of 16 fours and 14 sixes. It was a day to forget for the LSG bowlers, as their figures were mercilessly pummeled by the SRH opening pair.
Prior to this batting masterclass, SRH had put up a strong bowling display to restrict LSG to a total of 165. The SRH bowlers maintained pressure by picking up wickets at regular intervals, preventing LSG from gaining early momentum. Ayush Badoni (55 not out off 30 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (48 not out off 26 balls) managed to provide some semblance of resistance with an unbeaten 99-run partnership, dominating the last ten overs of LSG’s innings. Their recovery was notable given the initial 10-over struggle LSG faced.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was central to this initial devastation, using his experience to trap LSG in a web of pressure. In his first three overs, he conceded a mere seven runs, picking up crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. As a result, LSG ended their powerplay at a dismal 27 for two. Attempts to rebuild, primarily by Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul, failed to gain traction. Pandya’s mini assault in the eighth over against Jaydev Unadkat, which included two sixes, provided a brief respite.
However, with LSG’s overall scoring rate struggling to rise above a run-a-ball, the dismissal of Rahul for 29 and Pandya’s run-out for 24 compounded their woes. The entry of Pooran and Badoni marked a turning point as they counter-attacked effectively, particularly after the 14th over when T Natarajan conceded 16 runs. Pooran’s experience and Badoni’s aggression were pivotal, and they consistently managed to score over 10 runs per over, barring Bhuvneshwar’s economical last over.
Badoni’s fifty came in the penultimate over, reached off 28 balls, propelling LSG to 165 after an impressive final two-over surge that added 34 runs, including 19 off the last over bowled by Pat Cummins. Despite this late surge, LSG’s hope was short-lived as SRH’s Head and Abhishek ensured their efforts went in vain.
In summary, SRH’s comprehensive win was characterized by explosive batting prowess and a disciplined bowling performance, underpinning their status as title contenders in IPL 2024.