Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) blazed their way to an emphatic 10-wicket triumph over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match 57 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, hosted at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The match was characterized by remarkable performances from SRH’s top order, particularly Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, whose blistering batting underscored the dominance of SRH’s line-up, widely acknowledged as one of the most formidable in the league.
Chasing a target of 166, SRH made short work of the total, reaching it in just 9.4 overs. The astonishing run chase highlighted their aggressive batting approach which has been a hallmark throughout the tournament. The onslaught began in the powerplay itself, a phase where SRH has consistently excelled. The opening pair went on to amass 107 runs in the powerplay, a figure that effectively decided the match.
Initially restrained with just eight runs off the first over, SRH switched gears dramatically in the second over. Abhishek Sharma launched an assault on Yash Thakur, striking four boundaries. The momentum continued to build, with Head taking charge in the third over bowled by K Gowtham, hammering three sixes and a four to collect 22 runs from the over. The incessant pressure pushed KL Rahul to introduce Ravi Bishnoi in the fourth over, but this did little to stem the flow of runs.
Naveen-ul-Haq faced the fifth over and saw Head reach his half-century in a mere 16 balls, as the over conceded 23 runs. Thakur, returning to close the powerplay, saw SRH surpass the 100-run mark, with Abhishek matching Head’s prowess shot for shot.
Despite the field spreading post-powerplay, SRH’s momentum was undeterred. Head continued by sending the very first ball of the seventh over for a six over mid-wicket, and Abhishek followed by clinching his fifty with a six over long-on. The furious pace of scoring continued as the duo relentlessly attacked all bowlers, surging towards the target as if they had a point to prove in demolishing it within 10 overs. The winning runs came when Abhishek dispatched Thakur for a massive six over cover, capping off a remarkable chase. Head was undefeated on 89 off 30 balls, while Abhishek remained unbeaten on 75 off 28 balls, with the SRH innings featuring a staggering 16 boundaries and 14 sixes.
. It was a night to forget for the LSG bowlers.
Earlier in the day, SRH’s bowlers had performed admirably to restrict LSG to a total of 165, consistently taking wickets and unsettling the top order. Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran’s 99-run unbeaten partnership was the saving grace for LSG, with Badoni finishing on 55 not out from 30 balls and Pooran on 48 not out off 26 balls. Their effort was crucial in propelling LSG to a respectable total, contrasting sharply with the tentative first half of their innings.
LSG’s innings began under intense pressure from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who utilized his wealth of experience to stifle the opening batters. He conceded just seven runs in his first three overs and took the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Marcus Stoinis. At the end of the powerplay, LSG were struggling at 27 for two. KL Rahul and Krunal Pandya attempted to anchor the innings but Pandya’s aggressive burst in the eighth over was short-lived as Rahul fell for 29, caught off Pat Cummins.
Pandya’s dismissal for 24 was followed by the consolidation from Pooran and Badoni. Pooran’s calm, experienced play complemented Badoni’s more belligerent approach. A pivotal moment came in the 14th over when Badoni took T Natarajan for three boundaries, injecting vital momentum into the innings. This was followed by a flurry of runs in the subsequent overs, maintaining a scoring rate of over 10 runs per over from the 14th until the end, save for Bhuvneshwar’s miserly final over.
Badoni reached his fifty in the penultimate over, which helped add 34 runs from the final two overs, with Cummins’ last over costing 19 runs. This late surge saw LSG reach 165, a total that, given their slow start, reflected a significant recovery. However, any hopes LSG harbored for a successful defense were soon dashed by the imperious form of Head and Abhishek.
SRH’s victory not only showcased the batting prowess of their openers but also highlighted their overall dominance in the tournament. With this win, SRH solidified their reputation as strong contenders in the TATA IPL 2024.