In a thrilling showdown at Chennai, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) overcame the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 36 runs to clinch their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final. The pivotal Qualifier 2 match saw SRH set a challenging total of 175 runs, which their bowlers defended staunchly to seal a memorable victory.
Electing to bat first after being invited by RR, SRH showcased their aggressive batting strategy right from the outset. Despite losing a few wickets in the powerplay, their intent to build a formidable score remained unshaken. Trent Boult, the spearhead of RR’s bowling attack, made early inroads by dislodging the dangerous Abhishek Sharma in the first over. Sharma’s brief cameo included a six over mid-wicket and a boundary, but Boult had the last laugh, inducing a false shot that was snapped up on the off-side.
Travis Head, partnering with Rahul Tripathi, began cautiously. In stark contrast, Tripathi launched an all-out assault on the bowlers. His innings was characterized by aggressive shot-making and relentless attack. When R Ashwin was introduced, Tripathi welcomed him with boundaries, starting with a slightly edgy four through third-man. Boult faced similar treatment, with Tripathi mercilessly striking him for boundaries and a towering six. Tripathi’s whirlwind 37 off 15 balls provided the necessary impetus to SRH’s innings.
However, Boult returned to strike again, dismissing SRH’s skipper Aiden Markram. Markram edged a delivery straight to Yuzvendra Chahal, leaving SRH at a precarious 57 for three after five overs. It then fell to Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen to stabilize the innings. Head eventually found his rhythm, launching his first boundary off Sandeep Sharma in the sixth over. Klaasen, too, upped the ante, hitting a huge six off Chahal in the eighth over.
The game saw a pivotal moment when Head perished to Sandeep Sharma, attempting to guide the ball to third-man. His dismissal added pressure, but Klaasen stood firm, orchestrating a commendable recovery for SRH. The South African played a crucial role in guiding SRH’s lower-order, even as RR bowlers like Avesh Khan struck at regular intervals. Avesh’s 14th over was particularly damaging, claiming the wickets of Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad, the latter bowled first ball.
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The final overs saw Klaasen and Shahbaz Ahmed, who was brought in as an Impact Player, pushing the run rate. Klaasen completed his fifty off 33 balls, steering SRH to a competitive total of 175 for nine. For RR, standout performances came from Sandeep Sharma (two for 25) and Avesh Khan (three for 27), while Boult finished with three wickets as well.
RR’s chase began with Yashaswi Jaiswal in sublime touch. He smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a six in the very first over, setting the tone for an aggressive pursuit. However, it was Pat Cummins who provided the first breakthrough for SRH, dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Jaiswal continued dominating, especially in the sixth over where he plundered Bhuvneshwar for three fours and a six, propelling RR to 51 for one at the end of the powerplay.
The middle overs saw SRH’s spinners carve a decisive impact on the game. Shahbaz Ahmed dismissed Jaiswal for a brilliant 42 off 21 balls, caught in the deep. Abhishek Sharma then joined the wicket-takers list by sending RR’s captain Sanju Samson back to the pavilion. Samson’s lofted shot was safely pouched by Markram at deep mid-wicket.
Pressure mounted on RR as Shahbaz tightened the noose with a double-wicket over in the 12th. Riyan Parag fell to a mistimed shot while Ashwin edged one through to the wicketkeeper. By the end of the 12th over, RR were tottering at 80 for five, firmly under SRH’s control.
Despite bringing in Shimron Hetmyer as an Impact Player, RR struggled to regain momentum. Hetmyer and Rovman Powell were stifled by disciplined bowling from SRH. Dhruv Jurel, standing out amidst the collapse, fought valiantly till the end. Despite pressure and wickets tumbling around him, Jurel reached his fifty in 26 balls during the penultimate over, showcasing his resilience and skill.
Ultimately, SRH’s spinners Shahbaz and Abhishek proved to be the game-changers, collectively grabbing five wickets while conceding a mere 47 runs in their combined eight overs. This performance ensured SRH set up a rematch of Qualifier 1 and would clash with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the coveted title on Sunday in Chennai.