In a spectacular display of dominance, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured an emphatic 10-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. This match, a part of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, showcased the batting prowess of SRH’s opening duo, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, whose exuberant performance left fans and opponents in awe. The impressive duo helped SRH chase down the target of 166 runs in just 9.4 overs, a feat underscoring why the SRH batting lineup is considered one of the most formidable in this season of IPL.
The SRH’s aggression was evident right from the start, with the powerplay being a phase where they have consistently dominated throughout the tournament. They amassed an astounding 107 runs in the powerplay alone, effectively sealing the game’s fate in their favor. The LSG bowlers were left with no margin for error as the left-handed openers relentlessly took control of the game, executing their shots with precision and power.
The match started on a cautious note, with SRH managing only eight runs in the first over. However, the second over marked a turning point when Abhishek Sharma exploded onto the scene, striking Yash Thakur’s deliveries for four boundaries. K Gowtham’s attempt to curb the momentum in the third over backfired as Travis Head joined the onslaught, racking up 22 runs that included three sixes and a four. This power-packed batting forced LSG captain KL Rahul to bring spinner Ravi Bishnoi into the attack in the fourth over. However, SRH’s charge continued unabated, as the openers kept the scoreboard ticking effortlessly.
Naveen-ul-Haq came on for the fifth over but was unable to curtail the run flow. Head showcased his capabilities and raced to a 16-ball half-century, and SRH added 23 more runs to their tally in that over. Yash Thakur was handed the task of concluding the powerplay, and Abhishek matched Head’s intensity, pushing SRH past the 100 mark. Such fireworks left LSG searching for solutions that simply didn’t exist on the day.
Once the field restrictions were lifted, many assumed LSG might find some respite. However, Head continued to pile on the misery, slog-sweeping the first ball of the seventh over for a mighty six.
. Abhishek soon followed suit, completing his half-century by launching a six over long-on. As boundaries kept pouring in from both ends, it was evident that SRH was in a race against the clock, intent on clinching victory before the 10th over. The match concluded with Abhishek smashing Thakur for a massive six over cover, clinching the win emphatically. Head remained unbeaten at 89 off 30 balls, while Abhishek finished with a quickfire 75 not out off 28 balls, the SRH innings glittered with 16 fours and 14 sixes, leaving the LSG bowling figures as harsh reminders of the dominance faced.
Earlier in the match, SRH’s bowlers showcased their prowess by restricting LSG to 165 runs, taking crucial wickets at regular intervals to dismantle LSG’s top order. A valiant unbeaten partnership between Ayush Badoni (55 not out off 30 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (48 not out off 26 balls) gave the LSG innings some semblance of respectability as they added 99 runs in the last 10 overs. Their heroics starkly contrasted with LSG’s struggles during the initial overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling attack with his experience, containing the LSG openers and achieving the vital dismissals of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. His economical three-over spell conceded just seven runs and distanced LSG further after a dismal powerplay that saw them scoring 27 for two. The responsibility fell to Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul, who sought to rebuild the innings. Despite Pandya’s brief surge against Jaydev Unadkat, LSG continued to score at a below-par pace. Pat Cummins eventually dismissed Rahul while Pandya was run-out, which brought Pooran and Badoni together to initiate recovery.
While Pooran applied deft touches, it was Badoni’s aggressive approach that injected life back into the LSG innings. T Natarajan faced the brunt of Badoni’s assault in the 14th over, which yielded 16 runs, providing much-needed momentum. Between the two, they managed to score more than 10 runs in every over from the 14th onwards, except for Bhuvneshwar’s last over that went for five runs, allowing him to end with remarkable figures of two for 12.
Badoni reached his half-century in the 19th over, achieving the feat in just 28 balls. The final two overs of LSG’s innings contributed an additional 34 runs, including 19 off the last over bowled by Cummins, as LSG rallied to a respectable total of 165. Despite this recovery, any hopes they had were swiftly dismantled by the brilliance of Head and Abhishek, who delivered a batting masterclass too good for LSG to contend with on this occasion.