In a stunning display of batting prowess, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) routed the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by a massive 10-wicket margin at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, showing once again why their batting lineup is universally feared in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The explosive opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma stole the spotlight with an unrelenting assault on the LSG bowlers, chasing down a target of 166 in a mere 9.4 overs, which speaks volumes of SRH’s unparalleled performance on the day.
The match began with SRH’s relentless aggression during the powerplay, a phase that has been their domain throughout the tournament. With a jaw-dropping powerplay score of 107 runs, SRH effectively sealed the game in that period alone. The LSG bowlers found themselves under incessant pressure, unable to afford even a sliver of error against the determined left-handed opening duo.
Remarkably, the fireworks didn’t ignite instantly, as SRH took a measured start with just eight runs in the first over. However, it was the second over that witnessed the unleashing of Abhishek Sharma’s fierce stroke play, as he hammered Yash Thakur for four boundaries. Then, it was Head’s turn to dazzle the crowd in the third over bowled by K Gowtham, smashing 22 off the over with a quick succession of three sixes and a four. As LSG skipper KL Rahul introduced Ravi Bishnoi into the attack for the fourth over, SRH’s run flow remained undeterred.
Head’s relentless momentum saw him racing to a whirlwind 16-ball half-century during the fifth over by Naveen-ul-Haq, which also saw another 23 runs added to the tally. As Thakur took the ball for the final over of the powerplay, Abhishek joined Head’s flamboyance, matching him shot for shot and ushering SRH past the 100-run mark with ease.
Even as the fielders spread out post powerplay, there was no respite for LSG. The boundary fest continued unabated with Head slog-sweeping the seventh over’s first ball for a magnificent six over midwicket, followed by Abhishek crossing his own fifty-mark with a huge six over long-on.
The enthralling exhibition of batting showed no indication of slowing down, with boundaries raining from both ends regardless of the bowler’s identity. Driven by an impulse to accomplish the chase within 10 overs, SRH’s dynamic duo achieved the target when Abhishek obliterated Thakur with a colossal six over cover.
. While Head stood unbeaten scoring an awe-inspiring 89 off just 30 balls, Abhishek finished not out at 75 from 28 deliveries. The innings comprised an astounding total of 16 fours and 14 sixes, rendering the LSG bowlers unable to recover from such onslaught.
Earlier in the day, SRH’s bowlers laid the groundwork for the triumph by restricting LSG to 165 runs through timely breakthroughs at the top order. It was the commendable performance of Ayush Badoni (unbeaten 55 off 30 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (undefeated 48 off 26 balls) that guided LSG to this somewhat competitive score with their industrious 99-run partnership dominating during the last 10 overs – a stark contrast to the initial proceeding of the LSG innings.
During the opening phase, Bhuvneshwar Kumar deployed his experience to suffocate the LSG batsmen, giving away just seven runs alongside securing the scalps of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis in his first three overs, leaving LSG at a meager 27 for two by the end of the powerplay. Then came a necessary rebuilding phase orchestrated by Krunal Pandya alongside skipper KL Rahul.
Krunal showcased aggression in the eighth over, targeting Jaydev Unadkat for a pair of sixes. Nonetheless, LSG’s run rate remained below par, further compromised by Rahul’s dismissal for 29 after an ill-fated shot against Pat Cummins landed in the hands of a deep fielder. Adding to the woes, Pandya was run-out in the 12th over having managed 24 runs, leading to Pooran and Badoni’s productive union.
While Pooran exhibited experience-laden application, it was Badoni’s aggressive disposition that breathed life into LSG’s innings. A breakthrough moment arrived in the 14th over delivered by T Natarajan, where Badoni struck three boundaries, injecting much-needed momentum with the over conceding 16 runs. LSG relied heavily on their ability to accumulate over 10 runs per over starting the 14th, excluding Bhuvneshwar’s last which was a meager five runs, crowning his outstanding spell of two for 12 that seemed extraordinary under the given circumstances.
Badoni’s half-century milestone arrived in the penultimate over, achieved in merely 28 balls. The conclusive two overs added 34 more runs to LSG’s total, wrapping up with Pat Cummins yielding 19 runs in the final over, lifting LSG to 165 – a total that seemed respectable given their early struggles. Pondering their commendable recovery, LSG had a glimmer of hope for a respectable defense, only to be thwarted by the unparalleled excellence of Head and Abhishek on that notable day.