In a decisive showdown at Chennai’s iconic cricket arena, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched a spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final with a commanding 36-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2. Bowling brilliance complemented their robust batting performance, ensuring SRH defended their total of 175 runs successfully.
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to capitalize on the pressure of a high-stakes match. However, this decision initially seemed to work to their advantage when Trent Boult made early inroads into the Sunrisers’ batting lineup. Boult’s first over saw him dismiss Abhishek Sharma, who had just begun to show aggressive intent with a six and a four, reducing SRH to a shaky start.
Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi then attempted to stabilize the innings. Although Head took some time to find his rhythm, Tripathi didn’t hold back. He slashed R Ashwin for a boundary through third man and continued to target Boult, who despite his initial successes, was subjected to a series of aggressive shots from Tripathi. However, Boult had the last laugh when he outsmarted Tripathi, who guided a slower delivery to short third-man, ending his feisty knock at 37 from 15 balls.
The quick dismissals of Aiden Markram added to SRH’s early woes, leaving them at 57 for three by the end of the fifth over. A rebuilding phase followed, with Head and Heinrich Klaasen concentrating on steadying the ship. Head’s first boundary came in the sixth over off Sandeep Sharma, while Klaasen showed his intent with a six over mid-wicket off Chahal in the eighth over.
Nonetheless, Rajasthan Royals’ bowlers did not make it easy for the Sunrisers. Avesh Khan’s double strike in the 14th over saw Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad dismissed in successive balls, further denting SRH’s ambitions of a big score. Buoyed by Klaasen’s resilient innings, which saw him reach his half-century in the 18th over, SRH managed to set a competitive total of 175 for nine. Shahbaz Ahmed, coming in as an Impact Player, contributed a critical 18 runs towards the end.
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Rajasthan Royals’ response began on a bright note with Yashasvi Jaiswal displaying aggressive intent. In the first over, he took on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, hitting him for a six over mid-wicket. However, SRH struck back when Pat Cummins removed Tom Kohler-Cadmore early. Jaiswal continued to fight back, taking Bhuvneshwar for multiple boundaries and a six in the sixth over, positioning RR at a promising 51 for one at the end of the powerplay.
The middle overs saw a turning point as SRH’s spinners, Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, began to weave their magic. Jaiswal’s blistering innings was cut short at 42 off 21 balls when he was caught in the deep by Shahbaz, who had just come into the attack. Shortly after, RR’s skipper Sanju Samson succumbed to Abhishek, leaving them in further trouble.
Shahbaz compounded RR’s difficulties with a double-wicket over in the 12th, dismissing Riyan Parag and R Ashwin. At 80 for five, Rajasthan were left with an uphill task to keep their campaign alive.
Despite the introduction of Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell as impact players, SRH’s bowlers maintained a tight grip. Dhruv Jurel stood as the lone warrior, notching a gritty half-century off 26 balls. However, it was too little too late as SRH’s disciplined bowling stifled RR’s progression.
SRH’s two left-arm spinners, Shahbaz and Abhishek, were pivotal in swinging the game in their favor. They shared five crucial wickets between them, conceding just 47 runs in their combined overs, a performance that ensured their team’s advance to the final.
With this victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad have set up a tantalizing rematch against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final, having earlier faced off in Qualifier 1. The upcoming contest promises excitement as both teams vie for the coveted IPL 2024 title on Sunday in Chennai.