**Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stormed through to the final of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with an emphatically convincing 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Qualifier 2 held in Chennai. An impressive total of 175 runs for SRH, well guarded by their skillful bowling unit, proved to be the winning formula.**
Upon being invited to bat first by RR, SRH maintained their aggressive tempo throughout their innings, much as they have done in the entirety of the TATA IPL 2024 season so far. Despite losing a few wickets during the powerplay, their aggressive intent did not waver. Trent Boult from RR was the early destructor, delivering a sensational over. Although Abhishek Sharma initiated SRH’s innings with a blazing six over mid-wicket followed by a crisp four, it wasn’t long before Boult disrupted the momentum. Sharma’s risky shot ended up in a catch at the off-side, surrendering an early wicket to Boult.
Next in, Travis Head took the crease, choosing to steady himself while Rahul Tripathi launched an onslaught at the other end. Tripathi exhibited combative cricket, taking on every bowler with fierce determination. Off R Ashwin’s second over, Tripathi slashed a four through third-man, albeit a bit fortuitously. He then continued the aggression, hitting Boult for a boundary in the next over. Tripathi’s offensive persistency didn’t hinder when Ashwin was reintroduced, hitting two more fours and a towering six in his next spell. Boult’s return did little to stall Tripathi, and soon he found himself out, attempting one hit too many, pushing a slower delivery from Boult to short third-man. His impactful 37 runs off 15 balls set a robust foundation for SRH.
The bowling brilliance of Boult continued, as he also managed to dismiss Aiden Markram within the same initial phase, catching an edge neatly cupped by Yuzvendra Chahal stationed at short third-man. With five overs gone by, SRH found themselves at 57 for three. Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head then took charge of rebuilding the innings; Head, who had been relatively quiet, broke free with a boundary off Sandeep Sharma in the sixth over, while Klaasen took charge with a six over mid-wicket off over Chahal in the eighth over. But their partnership saw interruption as quiet overs led Head to misguide a Sandeep delivery straight to third-man.
The final 10 overs had Klaasen orchestrating SRH’s survival and acceleration. RR’s bowlers kept striking at intervals to restrict SRH’s charge.
. Avesh Khan’s double strike in the 14th over saw Nitish Reddy reverse-sweep a catch towards third-man, where Chahal, with brilliant anticipation, grasped his third catch of the game. Abdul Samad followed, bowled out on his very first ball.
Guiding SRH’s resurgence, Klaasen lifted the team morale and edged them from a vulnerable 120 for six to a modestly defending total. His enduring effort saw him reaching his half-century off 33 balls by the 18th over. Strategic inclusion of Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player fortified SRH further, contributing an unbeaten 18 runs. Eventually, SRH posted a competitive 175 for nine. For RR, Sandeep (two for 25) and Avesh (three for 27) emerged as the standout bowlers, ably backed by Boult with his three wickets.
In response, RR’s run-chase began with Yashaswi Jaiswal demonstrating great flair. In his signature style, he belted Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a six over mid-wicket early on. Although under initial scrutiny, RR enjoyed a solid start, until Pat Cummins secured a breakthrough, dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Jaiswal, showing his prowess, thrashed Bhuvneshwar for three fours and a six in the sixth over, leading RR to a commendable 51 for one by the end of the powerplay, positioning them firmly in contention with Jaiswal set.
Nevertheless, SRH’s spinners seized control in the middle overs, shifting the game’s trajectory significantly. Shahbaz’s strategic breakthrough saw Jaiswal (42 off 21 balls) caught deep in the eighth over, immediately followed by Samson lofting one to deep mid-wicket where Markram secured a neat catch off Abhishek’s delivery.
The SRH spinners perpetuated the pressure, and Shahbaz solidified SRH’s advantage with a double strike in the 12th over. Riyan Parag’s attempt ended in a simple catch at mid-wicket, while Ashwin edged towards the wicketkeeper, putting RR at a precarious 80 for five in 12 overs.
RR struggled to recuperate, their Impact Player Shimron Hetmyer found no leeway, nor did Rovman Powell, both rendered ineffective by SRH’s bowling dominance. Dhruv Jurel was the lone fighter, showcasing resilience by reaching his fifty off 26 deliveries in the penultimate over, but by that stage, the match had slipped firmly out of RR’s grasp.
Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, the two left-arm spinners, made significant contributions, sharing five wickets for just 47 runs in their collective eight overs. This vital performance ensured SRH’s passage into the final, setting up an anticipative rematch of Qualifier 1 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the coveted title clash slated to unfold in Chennai.
As cricket enthusiasts await the grand finale, SRH’s cohesive team effort and strategic gameplay signal a formidable challenge ahead for KKR in what promises to be an electrifying TATA IPL 2024 conclusion.