Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stormed through to a sensational 10-wicket triumph over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, showcasing one of the most dominant batting displays in the 2024 TATA Indian Premier League (IPL). An explosive partnership between Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma highlighted the day, emphasizing why SRH’s batting lineup has been heralded as one of the most formidable in this season’s IPL. Chasing a target of 166, SRH reached the mark in just 9.4 overs, further underlining their comprehensive performance.
SRH’s fireworks began to crackle right from the powerplay, a phase where they have consistently outclassed opponents throughout the tournament. Scoring a staggering 107 runs in the powerplay itself, SRH effectively secured the match within these first six overs. The LSG bowlers found no respite as the aggressive left-handed opening pair sought to dominate the innings from the outset.
In what was a surprising turn of events, SRH began somewhat cautiously, scoring only eight runs in the first over. However, it was in the second over that the fireworks truly began, with Abhishek Sharma smashing four boundaries off the deliveries from Yash Thakur. The onslaught continued into the third over, where Travis Head picked up 22 runs from K Gowtham’s over, comprising three sixes and a four. SRH’s early aggression forced KL Rahul to introduce Ravi Bishnoi in the fourth over, though this strategy did little to curb the run flow.
When Naveen-ul-Haq came on to bowl the fifth over, Travis Head continued his rampage, racing to a 16-ball half-century. The over itself went for 23 runs, further inflating SRH’s already formidable score. Yash Thakur’s return for the last over of the powerplay only compounded the woes for LSG, as both Abhishek and Head continued their blitzkrieg, bringing SRH past the 100-run milestone before the fielding restrictions lifted.
With the field spread out after the powerplay, LSG might have hoped for some relief. However, that proved to be wishful thinking as Head continued the assault, slog-sweeping the first ball of the seventh over for a six over mid-wicket. This was quickly followed by Abhishek reaching his own fifty with a six over long-on. The boundaries continued to flow, with the duo making it appear as though SRH intended to finish the match well within 10 overs.
. The climax came with Abhishek smashing Yash Thakur over covers for a massive six, sealing an emphatic victory. Travis Head remained unbeaten on an astonishing 89 runs off just 30 balls, and Abhishek Sharma concluded at 75 not out from 28 balls. SRH’s innings featured a remarkable tally of 16 fours and 14 sixes, a clear indication of the LSG bowlers’ harrowing day.
Earlier in the match, SRH’s bowlers had done an impressive job of restricting LSG to 165 runs. The SRH attack consistently disrupted LSG’s top order with regular breakthroughs, thanks especially to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s disciplined bowling. He conceded just seven runs in his initial three-over spell while claiming the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. By the end of the powerplay, LSG were struggling at 27 for two, necessitating a recovery from KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya.
Krunal Pandya attempted to accelerate the pace in the eighth over with two sixes off Jaydev Unadkat, but LSG’s overall scoring rate remained below a run-a-ball. The situation worsened when KL Rahul was dismissed for 29 by Pat Cummins, followed by Pandya’s run-out for 24 in the 12th over. It was during this precarious phase that Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni came together to forge a restorative partnership.
Pooran exhibited his experience and steadiness, while Badoni provided the aggressive thrust needed to rejuvenate LSG’s innings. In the 14th over, Badoni took 16 runs off T Natarajan, a move that significantly boosted LSG’s innings. Consistent scoring of over 10 runs per over from the 14th onwards, except for Bhuvneshwar’s last over which yielded only five runs, brought some much-needed momentum. Bhuvneshwar’s figures of two for 12 were commendable, more so considering the carnage that ensued later in the game.
Ayush Badoni’s fifty came in the penultimate over, achieved in brisk fashion off just 28 balls. The closing two overs of LSG’s innings contributed a substantial 34 runs, featuring 19 from Pat Cummins’ final over. This final surge propelled LSG to a total of 165, a figure that seemed competitive considering their initial setbacks. However, any optimism LSG harbored was quashed by the dominant display from Head and Abhishek, making SRH the undisputed victors of the day.