In a thrilling contest that lit up the second qualifier of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched their place in the final with a decisive 36-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Chennai’s iconic stadium. The nail-biting encounter witnessed an all-round performance from SRH, who, after setting a target of 175, unleashed a bowling display that dismantled the RR batting lineup.
Opting to set a target after RR invited them to bat first, SRH showcased their aggressive brand of cricket, a strategy that has been their hallmark throughout the season. Despite a few early setbacks in the powerplay stage, where Trent Boult posed significant threats, SRH’s top order capitalized on opportunities to build a competitive total.
The innings began with promises of fireworks as Abhishek Sharma launched a six over mid-wicket, followed by a boundary. However, the momentum was briefly interrupted as Boult struck in the opening over, enticing a false shot from Sharma that was deftly caught at the off-side. Undeterred, SRH found their rhythm with Rahul Tripathi and Travis Head at the helm. Head showed composure, setting the stage for Tripathi to launch a counterattack against RR’s bowlers.
Tripathi’s aggressive play was a spectacle, particularly during the second over against R Ashwin, picking a boundary through third man. The intensity only rose with every over, with Boult and Ashwin on the receiving end of Tripathi’s willow. His quick-fire 37 off 15 balls provided a much-needed momentum boost for SRH.
The see-saw battle continued as Boult claimed another prize, dismissing Aiden Markram with a deft edge to Yuzvendra Chahal at short third-man. After these early fireworks, SRH found themselves at 57 for three post five overs. This called for a rebuild, and Head, alongside Heinrich Klaasen, assumed the responsibility. Although initially restrained, Head broke free with a boundary off Sandeep Sharma in the sixth over. Klaasen, on the other hand, rose to the occasion as he dispatched Chahal over mid-wicket fence with a spectacular six in the eighth over.
As SRH navigated through the remaining overs, it was Klaasen who anchored the innings while RR’s bowlers, particularly Avesh Khan, continued to chip away.
. Avesh delivered a significant blow in the 14th over, not only dismissing Nitish Reddy through an innovative reverse sweep catch but also sending Abdul Samad back to the pavilion on the next delivery, bowling him for a golden duck.
Nevertheless, Klaasen’s resounding presence in the middle saw SRH cross the 120-mark. By the time he reached his half-century in the 18th over, SRH had achieved a seemingly defendable score of 175 for nine, bolstered by Shahbaz Ahmed, the Impact Player, who chipped in with a useful 18 runs. RR’s bowling efforts were led by Sandeep and Avesh, with noteworthy figures of two for 25 and three for 27, respectively, while Boult also captured crucial wickets in his spell.
Chasing 176, RR made an impressive start thanks to Yashaswi Jaiswal, who looked in ominous touch right from the start. His assault on Bhuvneshwar, including a towering six over mid-wicket in the opening over, gave RR hope. Jaiswal continued his onslaught particularly in the sixth over with Bhuvneshwar at the center of a three-boundary and one-six surge, helping RR reach 51 for one by the end of the powerplay.
However, SRH’s spinners, leading a remarkable resurgence, soon dominated the middle overs. Shahbaz Ahmed delivered a pivotal breakthrough by dismissing Jaiswal (42 from 21 balls), caught in the deep. This was quickly followed by Abhishek Sharma who induced a mishit from Sanju Samson, leading to Markram taking a well-judged catch at deep mid-wicket.
The turning point was cemented in the 12th over as Shahbaz’s double strike, including the dismissals of Riyan Parag and R Ashwin, saw RR crumble to 80 for five. The dominance of SRH’s spin duo effectively suffocated any RR hopes of a comeback.
Both Shimron Hetmyer, brought in as an Impact Player, and Rovman Powell were shackled by precise bowling and were unable to exert any influence. Dhruv Jurel’s resilient half-century off just 26 balls offered a semblance of resistance in the closing overs, but the writing was already on the wall by then.
Ultimately, it was the masterful spin tandem of Shahbaz and Abhishek, snaring five wickets succinctly for just 47 runs over eight overs, that paved the way for SRH’s commanding victory. With this win, SRH not only avenged their previous outing against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 1 but also booked another high-stakes match against them in the coveted IPL 2024 final set for Chennai.