In an extraordinary display of cricketing prowess, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured a colossal 10-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the 2024 edition of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL). The dynamic duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma put on a batting masterclass, underscoring SRH’s reputation as one of the most formidable batting line-ups in the tournament. Chasing a target of 166 runs, SRH achieved it in merely 9.4 overs, showcasing an innings filled with flamboyant strokes and sheer dominance.
The fireworks began right from the powerplay, a phase that SRH has consistently capitalized on throughout the season. They amassed a staggering 107 runs in the initial six overs, effectively seizing control of the match at the outset. The LSG bowlers found no respite as the left-handed opening pair of Head and Sharma were resolute in their mission to dominate the proceedings.
After a relatively quiet first over that saw just eight runs, the duo shifted gears in the second over. Abhishek Sharma set the tone by hitting four boundaries off Yash Thakur. When K Gowtham was introduced in the next over, Travis Head joined the party, accumulating 22 runs, including three sixes and a four. The onslaught forced LSG skipper KL Rahul to bring on Ravi Bishnoi, but the move bore no fruitful results as the runs kept on flowing.
Even Naveen-ul-Haq, brought in to bowl the fifth over, could not stem the tide. Head continued to thwart the bowlers, racing to a rapid half-century off just 16 balls. This over yielded 23 runs, further exacerbating the plight of LSG’s bowlers. Thakur, returning for the final over of the powerplay, faced similar treatment as Abhishek Sharma matched Head’s aggressive approach, propelling SRH past the 100-run mark within the initial six overs.
Post the powerplay, many anticipated some relief for LSG with the field spread out. However, SRH’s dominance continued unabated. Head launched the first ball of the seventh over over mid-wicket for a six, while Sharma brought up his fifty with a six over long-on. The batting pair was relentless, hitting boundaries with ease and precision. It seemed as if they had set a goal to chase the target within ten overs, and they were well on track.
The climactic moment arrived when Abhishek Sharma smashed Yash Thakur over the cover for a towering six, securing victory for SRH. Head remained unbeaten on a spectacular 89 off 30 balls, while Sharma finished with an impressive 75 not out off 28 deliveries. The innings highlighted SRH’s batting prowess, featuring an astonishing tally of 16 fours and 14 sixes.
. For LSG, it was a day to forget as the bowlers could find no answers to the onslaught.
Earlier in the match, SRH’s bowlers had performed admirably to restrict LSG to 165 runs. The top order of LSG was jolted by regular wickets, curbing their scoring rate. Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran played crucial roles in stabilizing the innings, with Badoni scoring an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls and Pooran contributing 48 not out off 26 deliveries. Their 99-run partnership was instrumental in reviving the LSG innings, especially in the last ten overs.
However, the initial overs painted a different picture. Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar showcased his experience by applying early pressure on LSG. In his first three overs, he conceded just seven runs and picked up the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. This early breakthrough was reflected in LSG’s score at the end of the powerplay – a mere 27 for two.
In the middle overs, LSG attempted to rebuild their innings through Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul. Pandya momentarily shifted the gears by targeting Jaydev Unadkat in the eighth over, smashing two sixes. Nevertheless, the run rate remained underwhelming, and the situation worsened when Pat Cummins dismissed Rahul for 29. Pandya’s run-out for 24 in the 12th over further dented LSG’s hopes.
The tide turned when Pooran and Badoni joined forces. Pooran exhibited his experience, providing stability, while Badoni infused aggression into the innings. In the 14th over, Badoni attacked Natarajan, picking up three boundaries and consequently breaking the shackles. From this point, LSG managed to score over ten runs an over, barring Bhuvneshwar’s final over which conceded just five runs. Bhuvneshwar’s spell concluded with outstanding figures of two for 12 – a remarkable feat given the carnage that followed.
Badoni reached his fifty in the penultimate over, hitting only 28 balls to get there. The final two overs of LSG’s innings saw a flurry of runs, with 34 coming off them, including 19 in the last over bowled by Cummins. This late surge propelled LSG to a total of 165, a commendable recovery from their slow start, and should have given them a semblance of hope heading into the field. Yet, the sheer brilliance of Head and Sharma ensured that SRH never let LSG’s bowlers dictate terms, finishing the chase emphatically.