In a riveting clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) orchestrated a commanding 36-run victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2, propelling themselves into the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Batting first, SRH posted a defendable total of 175 runs, thanks to strategic batting efforts, which were subsequently upheld by an impressive bowling display, culminating in a memorable performance.
Upon being asked to bat first by RR, SRH exhibited their hallmark aggressive approach right from the onset, consistent with their gameplay throughout TATA IPL 2024. Despite losing a few wickets early in the powerplay, the batsmen maintained a relentless tempo. Trent Boult spearheaded RR’s bowling attack and drew first blood with a crucial breakthrough in the opening over. Abhishek Sharma, who began SRH’s innings with a six over mid-wicket followed by a four, fell prey to a deceptive delivery from Boult, resulting in a catch on the off-side.
Travis Head then teamed up with Rahul Tripathi, who was in a combative mood. Tripathi didn’t shy away from playing his shots, regardless of the bowler. When R. Ashwin entered the attack, Tripathi edged a four through third-man and dispatched Boult for a boundary in the following over. Continuing his onslaught, Tripathi smashed two fours and a six off Ashwin, followed by a six and four off Boult. However, Boult had the last laugh in this duel, inducing Tripathi to edge a slower ball to short third-man, ending his explosive innings on 37 off 15 balls, thereby providing SRH with early momentum.
Boult further dented SRH’s progress by dismissing Aiden Markram shortly afterward, courtesy of an edge to Yuzvendra Chahal at short third-man. At the end of five overs, SRH’s score stood at 57 for three. With the foundation somewhat shaky, Head and Heinrich Klaasen embarked on an innings-rebuilding mission. Head cracked his first boundary off Sandeep Sharma in the sixth over, while Klaasen took charge against Chahal with a six over mid-wicket in the eighth over.
There followed a brief period of quiet overs, culminating in Head misguiding a shot to third-man off Sandeep Sharma. As the innings progressed into the last ten overs, Heinrich Klaasen took up the mantle of energizing SRH’s innings. Despite RR’s bowlers striking at regular intervals to curb SRH’s acceleration, Klaasen managed to hold the innings together.
. Nitish Reddy’s attempt at innovation ended in a reverse-sweep catch to third-man off Avesh Khan, who also cleaned up Abdul Samad with a first-ball dismissal, reducing SRH to precarious positions.
However, Klaasen’s resilience lifted SRH from 120 for six to a competitive 175 for nine, bringing up his fifty off 33 balls during the 18th over. Shahbaz Ahmed, introduced as an Impact Player, lent crucial support with a quick-spin 18. For RR, Sandeep Sharma (two for 25) and Avesh Khan (three for 27) were the standout performers alongside Boult, who finished with three wickets.
Chasing 176, RR’s innings commenced with promise as Yashaswi Jaiswal appeared in emphatic form, dispatching Bhuvneshwar for a six over mid-wicket in the opening over. Pat Cummins dealt the first blow, dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore, but Jaiswal continued his robust start, notably plundering three fours and a six off Bhuvneshwar during the powerplay, guiding RR to a promising 51 for one.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the middle overs, courtesy of SRH’s spinners. Shahbaz Ahmed struck gold when he had Jaiswal (42 off 21 balls) caught in the deep during the eighth over. Abhishek followed suit, ensnaring Sanju Samson with a catch at deep mid-wicket by Markram. The introduction of spin drastically stifled RR’s momentum. A double-wicket maiden over from Shahbaz Ahmed, including dismissals of Riyan Parag and R. Ashwin, left RR reeling at 80 for five by the 12th over.
Despite RR’s attempts to recover, they failed to regain their footing. Introduced as an Impact Player, Shimron Hetmyer couldn’t break free, and Rovman Powell was similarly subdued by SRH’s disciplined bowling. Dhruv Jurel, standing out with a fighting fifty off 26 balls in the penultimate over, showcased commendable resilience amidst the falling wickets, but his lone effort was insufficient to turn the tide. As the game dwindled down, SRH’s victory seemed all but assured.
Ultimately, the spin duo of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma proved decisive, collectively picking up five wickets while conceding just 47 runs in eight overs. This stellar performance assured SRH’s spot in the grand finale, setting up a thrilling rematch against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the title clash on Sunday in Chennai.