In a thrilling showdown at the iconic Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) emerged triumphant over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a significant margin of 36 runs in Qualifier 2 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This victory propels SRH into the final, where they will face off against the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the coveted title. With SRH putting up a total of 175 runs, their disciplined bowling unit ensured that RR fell short, marking a notable defensive performance that will be remembered in this season’s playoffs.
After winning the toss, RR captain opted to field, inviting SRH to take the crease first. Known for their aggressive batting style throughout the season, SRH did not hold back, even when faced with the initial setbacks. Trent Boult, leading RR’s bowling attack, struck early enough to keep the SRH batsmen on their toes. He managed to dismiss the opening attacker Abhishek Sharma, catching a misplaced shot that resulted in an easy catch on the off-side. Abhishek had started with promise, hitting a six and a four, before falling to Boult’s precision in the first over.
Despite the early challenge, SRH’s batting line-up found resilience. Travis Head opted for a more cautious approach, allowing Rahul Tripathi the freedom to play an aggressive style at the other end. Tripathi took charge by actively targeting RR bowlers, regardless of their reputation. Ravichandran Ashwin, introduced into the attack early, was immediately under pressure as Tripathi dispatched a four during his first over, albeit with some luck. Boult’s subsequent over was also not spared, as the relentless Tripathi refused to hold back.
However, Boult continued to create havoc by skillfully removing Aiden Markram, inducing another edge that was comfortably caught by Yuzvendra Chahal at short third-man. By the end of the fifth over, SRH were positioned at a challenging 57 for three. With the key wicket of Rahul Tripathi, who scored a quick 37 off 15 balls, Rajasthan sensed an opportunity to keep SRH in check. It was then up to Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen to come together and piece together a recovery mission.
As the innings progressed, Klaasen took on the responsibility of anchoring the innings, steering SRH to a more competitive total. Despite continuous breakthroughs from RR’s bowlers, especially Avesh Khan who struck twice in the 14th over, Klaasen held his nerve.
. Nitish Reddy’s attempt at a reverse sweep resulted in another catch for Chahal, followed by the unfortunate dismissal of Abdul Samad without scoring. With SRH wobbling at 120 for six, the team needed someone to step up.
Klaasen’s gritty half-century came at the right time, as he lifted SRH from a precarious position to reach a defendable total of 175 for nine. Shahbaz Ahmed’s cameo as an Impact Player, yielding 18 runs, provided crucial support to Klaasen’s efforts. Among the RR bowlers, Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan emerged as standout performers, with impressive figures of two for 25 and three for 27, respectively. Trent Boult, too, wrapped up with three crucial wickets.
The second innings saw RR’s Yashaswi Jaiswal in formidable form initially, striking a six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s very first over. Jaiswal, determined to anchor the RR chase, showcased patience and explosive potential. However, SRH’s bowlers, led by their spinners, had other plans. The pivotal moment came when Shahbaz Ahmed invited Jaiswal to play a false shot, ending a crucial innings of 42 runs off 21 deliveries.
SRH’s left-arm spinners, Shahbaz and Abhishek, effectively stifled the RR scoring rate, triggering a collapse in the middle overs. They methodically dismantled the RR batting line-up with tight lengths and effective variations. Sanju Samson’s departure, caught while trying to clear the boundary, tipped the balance in favor of SRH. Post the 12th over, RR’s prospects dimmed significantly, as they stood at 80 for five, unable to regain control.
Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell’s arrival as Impact Players brought hope of a late resurgence, but SRH’s disciplined bowling left little room for free scoring. Amongst the RR ranks, only Dhruv Jurel emerged with significant resistance, crafting a valiant half-century in testing conditions. However, with relentless pressure from the SRH attack, Rajasthan’s hopes waned, culminating in a decisive win for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
With Shahbaz and Abhishek sharing five wickets and maintaining an economical tally of 47 runs from eight overs, SRH’s bowling unit delivered when it mattered most. This emphatic victory now sets the stage for a grand finale against KKR, promising a rematch that carries all the stakes as the competition concludes at Chennai’s storied venue on Sunday.