In a spectacular display of cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) powered their way to a commanding 10-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The fiery batting duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma delivered an onslaught that left LSG reeling, underlining why the SRH batting lineup is one of the most daunting in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The target of 166 runs was aggressively chased down in just 9.4 overs, encapsulating the sheer dominance and skill exhibited by SRH on this particular day.
From the outset, SRH showcased their batting fireworks during the powerplay – a phase they have ruled throughout the tournament. The crucial powerplay accounted for a whopping 107 runs, carving out a clear path to victory. The LSG bowlers were left with no room for error as the left-handed opening pair Head and Sharma set about their run-chase with an impressive determination to dominate.
What made their achievement all the more astounding was their slow start in the first over, managing just eight runs. However, the second over is where things heated up, with Abhishek Sharma dispatching Yash Thakur for four consecutive boundaries. The third over saw K Gowtham falling victim to a fierce attack from Travis Head, who scored 22 runs – inclusive of three sixes and a four. KL Rahul’s attempt to regain control by bringing in Ravi Bishnoi for the fourth over proved futile, as runs continued to pour with ease. The fifth over, bowled by Naveen-ul-Haq, saw Head reaching a blistering half-century off just 16 balls, with that over costing LSG 23 runs.
As Thakur returned to bowl the final over of the powerplay, Abhishek Sharma equaled Head’s onslaught, driving SRH past the 100-run mark. With the field having spread, many anticipated a slowdown. This was not to be; the seventh over saw Head executing a magnificent slog-sweep for a six, quickly followed by Abhishek achieving his half-century with a six over long-on.
The barrage of boundaries from both batsmen continued unabated. Regardless of the bowler, Head and Abhishek batted with an intensity indicating they aimed to finish the chase within 10 overs. The victory was sealed in emphatic fashion when Abhishek blasted Thakur over cover for a significant six. Head remained unbeaten on a lightning-fast 89 off 30 balls, with Abhishek contributing a remarkable 75 not out off 28 balls. Between them, they amassed 16 fours and 14 sixes, a clear indicator of the sheer carnage they unleashed. The LSG bowlers’ figures spoke volumes about their struggle to contain the onslaught.
.
Earlier in the match, the SRH bowlers laid a solid foundation by restricting LSG to a total of 165 runs, taking regular wickets to unsettle the opposition’s top order. Their efforts were pivotal, knowing the potency of their own batting lineup. The only significant resistance from the LSG came from Ayush Badoni (55 not out off 30 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (48 not out off 26 balls), whose unbeaten partnership of 99 runs dominated the last 10 overs of LSG’s innings. This steadfast stand was in stark contrast to the moribund first half of their innings.
In the opening salvo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought all his experience into play to apply pressure on LSG’s batting lineup. He bowled an economical first three overs, conceding just seven runs and dismissing Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. The score at the end of the powerplay – a mere 27 for two – highlighted Kumar’s effectiveness. LSG found themselves in a position to rebuild with Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul at the crease.
Krunal Pandya attempted to shift gears in the eighth over, targeting Jaydev Unadkat with two maxims. However, LSG’s scoring rate remained sluggish and below par. Rahul eventually succumbed for 29 to Pat Cummins’s delivery, further denting LSG’s prospects. The 12th over saw Pandya being run-out for 24, marking a critical juncture in the innings and bringing Pooran and Badoni together.
While Nicholas Pooran showcased his seasoned composure and experience, Ayush Badoni introduced a pinch of aggression, breathing life into LSG’s innings. A 14th over bowled by T Natarajan saw Badoni hit three consecutive boundaries, bringing much-needed momentum. From the 14th over onwards, every over, barring Bhuvneshwar’s last, saw the duo scoring in excess of 10 runs. Kumar closed off his outstanding spell of two for 12, extraordinary figures given the context of the match.
Badoni’s reach to his fifty off just 28 balls in the penultimate over was significant, with the final two overs of the LSG innings yielding 34 runs, including 19 off Pat Cummins’s. This propelled LSG to a more respectable 165. Considering their sluggish start, the recovery was impressive, and LSG might have been hopeful of defending the total. However, the blistering form of Head and Abhishek was too much for LSG to handle, leading to SRH’s comprehensive and memorable victory.