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 Qualifier 2 at Chennai. Setting a target of 175, SRH’s bowlers showcased a stellar performance that dismantled the RR batting lineup, securing a memorable victory.
Upon winning the toss, RR captain Sanju Samson opted to field first, likely hoping to exploit the evening conditions in Chennai. SRH, unfazed by losing the toss, demonstrated their aggressive batting approach right from the start. Although their top order was rattled by RR pacer Trent Boult, the middle and lower order ensured SRH posted a competitive total on the board.
The innings began with a flourish as Abhishek Sharma smashed a six over mid-wicket and followed it up with a boundary. But Boult struck back in the same over, inducing a false shot from Sharma, which was safely pouched on the off-side. Despite the early wicket, Rahul Tripathi and Travis Head continued SRH’s aggressive intent. Tripathi, in particular, was in combative form, scoring freely regardless of the bowler.
When R Ashwin was introduced into the attack, Tripathi welcomed him with an edgy four through third-man. He didn’t stop there and continued to take on Boult and Ashwin, hitting them for multiple boundaries. However, Boult had the last laugh as Tripathi, in an attempt to increase the scoring rate, mistimed a slower delivery to short third-man, getting out after a quickfire 37 off 15 balls. Boult continued his fine spell by dismissing Aiden Markram shortly thereafter. By the end of the fifth over, SRH found themselves at a precarious 57 for three.
The onus then fell on Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen to rebuild the innings. Head, who had been relatively quiet, broke his shackles with a boundary off Sandeep Sharma in the sixth over. Heinrich Klaasen got into his stride by hitting Chahal for a hefty six over mid-wicket in the eighth over. However, the persistent pressure from RR’s bowlers saw Head fall to Sandeep Sharma, guiding a delivery to third-man.
As the innings progressed, Klaasen anchored SRH through a crucial phase. RR bowlers, led by Avesh Khan and Trent Boult, made regular inroads, striking at vital moments to keep SRH from accelerating.
. Avesh Khan’s double strike in the 14th over, which included the wickets of Nitish Reddy and Abdul Samad, pegged SRH back to 120 for six. But Klaasen played an impressive innings, bringing up his fifty in 33 balls and ensuring SRH reached a defendable score of 175 for nine by the end of their innings. Contributions from Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Player, scoring a crucial 18 runs, also helped SRH’s cause.
RR’s bowling was led by the trio of Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, and Trent Boult, each of whom took crucial wickets. Sandeep Sharma’s economical spell of 2 for 25 stood out as he hindered SRH’s attempt to score freely in the death overs.
Chasing 176 for a place in the final, RR needed a solid start, and Yashaswi Jaiswal provided just that. In the very first over, he took Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a six over mid-wicket, setting the tone for RR’s chase. Jaiswal continued his aggressive form, picking up boundaries with ease and launching Bhuvneshwar for three fours and a six in the sixth over. RR ended the powerplay at a strong 51 for one, looking set to challenge SRH’s total.
However, SRH’s spinners soon turned the game on its head. Shahbaz Ahmed made the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Jaiswal, who was caught in the deep after a blazing 42 off 21 balls. This wicket initiated a collapse as Abhishek Sharma further dented RR’s chase by dismissing Sanju Samson.
From that point, SRH’s spin duo tightened the screws with disciplined bowling. Shahbaz’s double strike in the 12th over saw Riyan Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed cheaply, reducing RR to 80 for five and putting SRH firmly in control.
RR struggled to recover from these blows, despite the introduction of Shimron Hetmyer as an Impact Player and the presence of Rovman Powell. The SRH bowlers, particularly the spinners Shahbaz and Abhishek, maintained a stranglehold, allowing no room for RR’s middle and lower order to unleash. Dhruv Jurel provided a semblance of resistance, scoring a brisk fifty off 26 balls, but it was too little too late.
Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma were the standout performers for SRH with the ball, sharing five wickets between them and conceding just 47 runs in their combined eight overs, ensuring that RR’s chase never gained momentum.
With this comprehensive victory, SRH has set up a rematch of Qualifier 1 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final, due to be played on Sunday in Chennai. The stage is now set for what promises to be a thrilling climax to the TATA IPL 2024.