Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched a remarkable 10-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, creating ripples in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Spearheaded by the lethal batting duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, SRH chased down a target of 166 runs in a mere 9.4 overs, showcasing why their batting prowess is one of the most formidable in the league.
The SRH juggernaut rolled over LSG thanks to explosive performances right from the powerplay. Scoring an astounding 107 runs in the first six overs, SRH effectively sealed the game early on, leaving LSG’s bowlers with no margin for error. What was most astonishing was their slow start; SRH only managed eight runs in the first over. However, the narrative changed dramatically from the second over when Abhishek stroked four consecutive fours off Yash Thakur.
The third over saw K Gowtham face the brunt of Travis Head’s fury, conceding 22 runs as Head hit three sixes and a four. Desperate for a breakthrough, KL Rahul brought in Ravi Bishnoi in the fourth over, but SRH kept the scoreboard ticking relentlessly. Naveen-ul-Haq, tasked with delivering the fifth over, saw Head sprint to a 16-ball half-century amidst another 23-run over.
Thakur returned to bowl the final over of the powerplay, facing the heat from both ends as SRH crossed the 100-run mark with ease. One might have thought the field spread could bring some respite for LSG, but instead, Head and Abhishek continued to annihilate the bowling. Head slog-swept the first ball of the seventh over for a towering six over mid-wicket, followed by Abhishek reaching his fifty with a six over long-on.
The attacking tempo never waned, with boundaries flowing freely. SRH, clearly intent on finishing the match within 10 overs, achieved victory as Abhishek smashed Thakur over cover for a gigantic six. Head remained unbeaten on a blistering 89 off just 30 balls, while Abhishek concluded his masterclass on 75 not out from 28 balls. The SRH innings boasted an eye-watering total of 16 fours and 14 sixes, leaving the LSG bowlers with figures they would prefer to forget.
Earlier in the game, SRH bowlers had done an admirable job restricting LSG to 165 runs, consistently taking wickets to disrupt their rhythm. A commendable partnership between Ayush Badoni (55 not out off 30 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (48 not out off 26 balls) salvaged the innings, contributing a 99-run stand in the final 10 overs.
. This partnership was especially crucial given how LSG struggled in the first half of their innings.
Opening the bowling, Bhuvneshwar Kumar executed a masterclass, utilizing his experience to stifle the LSG batsmen. His initial three overs were remarkable for yielding merely seven runs while claiming the scalps of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. At the end of the powerplay, LSG were reeling at 27 for two. From there, Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul endeavored to stabilize the innings, but progress remained slow.
In the eighth over, Pandya attempted to shift gears, hitting Jaydev Unadkat for two sixes, but LSG still struggled to maintain a competitive run rate. Their difficulties were compounded when Rahul fell for 29, miscuing a shot off Pat Cummins to the deep. The 12th over saw Pandya run out for 24, leaving LSG in a precarious position. It was then that Pooran and Badoni joined forces.
Pooran displayed his experience, playing a steadying role while Badoni injected aggression into the innings. When T Natarajan came on in the 14th over, Badoni seized the opportunity to score three boundaries, collecting 16 runs from that over and injecting much-needed momentum. From the 14th over onwards, LSG managed to score over 10 runs per over, barring Bhuvneshwar’s last over, which restricted them to five runs. Bhuvneshwar capped off his spell with figures of two for 12, setting a high standard with his exceptional bowling.
Badoni’s fifty came in the penultimate over, requiring just 28 balls. The last two overs were crucial for LSG, accumulating 34 runs, including 19 off Cummins’ final over. This late surge propelled LSG to 165, a competitive total considering their initial struggles, providing them a glimmer of hope as they geared up to defend their score.
Unfortunately for LSG, SRH’s Head and Abhishek were in a class of their own, dismantling the target with ease. Their breathtaking partnership not only secured a decisive victory but also further solidified SRH’s reputation as a formidable force in the IPL 2024.