In a pulsating encounter at Chennai’s cricketing coliseum, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) catapulted themselves into the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with an emphatic 36-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the critical Qualifier 2 clash. The match, witnessed by an electrified crowd, was a testimony to SRH’s strategic acumen and fiery performance, both with the bat and the ball.
Upon being asked to bat first, SRH put up a formidable score of 175 runs, a total that was fiercely defended by their bowlers, who stepped up to the challenge, delivering a memorable performance that paved the way to victory. SRH’s innings, marked by their aggression in the initial powerplay, adhered to their strategy throughout this year’s IPL campaign. While the team did experience initial setbacks, losing wickets in the powerplay, their unwavering aggressive intent was evident. The Royals’ spearhead, Trent Boult, was instrumental in causing the early damage to SRH’s innings.
The excitement began right from the first over, with Abhishek Sharma aiming to set the tone by launching a six over mid-wicket followed by a boundary. However, Boult made an immediate impact by dismissing Sharma with a skillfully delivered ball, prompting a misjudged shot that was caught on the off-side. This initial success by RR highlighted the contest’s competitive nature.
Travis Head played a cerebral innings, taking his time to get accustomed to the pitch, while at the other end, Rahul Tripathi unleashed an onslaught. Tripathi, flagrantly combative, showcased an array of strokes regardless of the bowler operating against him. R Ashwin’s introduction into the attack was met with a boundary through third-man by Tripathi, albeit with an element of fortune. Tripathi’s assault continued as he exploited Boult and Ashwin for boundaries and a six, building vital momentum for SRH with a blistering 37 off 15 balls, setting the foundation for a competitive total.
Boult soon added another wicket to his tally, dispatching Aiden Markram cheaply, caught by Yuzvendra Chahal. At the end of the fifth over, SRH was poised at 57 for three. This precarious situation called for a rebuilding phase, led by Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen.
. Head, maintaining a patient approach, eventually found his scoring rhythm with a boundary off Sandeep Sharma in the sixth over, while Klaasen aggressively picked up pace with a six off Chahal.
However, the steady bowling from RR induced a false stroke from Head, succumbing to Sandeep’s cunning, caught at third-man. As the innings progressed into the pivotal last ten overs, Klaasen spearheaded the charge for SRH. Despite RR bowlers, notably Avesh Khan, striking twice in one over, dismissing both Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad, Klaasen’s vigilant innings, which yielded a vital fifty off 33 deliveries, elevated SRH to a defendable 175 for nine. For RR, Sandeep Sharma (two for 25) and Avesh Khan (three for 27) stood out, while Boult claimed three essential wickets.
The chase for RR started on a promising note with opener Yashaswi Jaiswal flashing his batting prowess, dispatching Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a commanding six over mid-wicket early on. Despite promising bursts, SRH solidified their grip through disciplined bowling. Pat Cummins delivered the initial breakthrough, dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore, while Jaiswal continued his merry way unleashing a flurry of boundaries.
With the arrival of SRH’s spinners, the dynamic of the match shifted significantly. Shahbaz Ahmed triggered a pivotal collapse by dismissing Jaiswal, caught in the deep, which catalyzed a decisive phase for SRH. The pressure implemented by Abhishek Sharma enticed Sanju Samson into an introspective lofted shot, leading to his dismissal by Markram.
This cohesive bowling effort was further amplified by a double-wicket over from Shahbaz in the twelfth, capturing both Riyan Parag and Ashwin to leave RR reeling at 80 for five. Despite RR introducing Shimron Hetmyer as an Impact Player alongside Rovman Powell, SRH’s bowlers maintained an impenetrable fortress.
Amidst the crumbling order, Dhruv Jurel emerged as a solitary figure of defiance, achieving a gallant fifty off 26 balls. Yet, with SRH sustaining the stranglehold with precise spin from Shahbaz and Abhishek, it ensured that RR’s revival remained a distant aspiration. The collective effort by SRH, led notably by their spinners, culminated in a well-orchestrated victory, setting the much-anticipated rematch of Qualifier 1 against Kolkata Knight Riders for the illustrious IPL 2024 title in Chennai on Sunday.