SRH vs RR. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs to qualify for the final of the IPL 2024. The Pat Cummins-led side were ruthless with the ball and was clinical with the bat to get the job done and qualify for the summit clash, in which, they will face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 26.
Batting first, Abhishek Sharma failed to deliver and SRH also lost the wickets of Aiden Markram and Rahul Tripathi early. Tripathi however played a vital cameo of 37 runs off 15 balls, which was extremely vital. Later, Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head built a crucial partnership to bail SRH out of trouble. Head made 34 runs and Klaasen went on to hit his fourth half-century of the season as SRH posted 175 runs in the first innings.
At the halfway mark, the total didn’t look safe but the Hyderabad bowlers were incredible to pick up a massive win. Skipper Cummins analysed the condition perfectly and used his spinners well to get the job done. Shahbaz Ahmed picked up three wickets and gave away 23 runs in his four overs, while Abhishek Sharma, who didn’t bowl throughout the tournament, picked up two wickets and that arguably turned the game for SRH’s favour.
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Towards the end, Dhruv Jurel tried to rescue Rajasthan as he hit 56* runs off 35 balls but that wasn’t enough. Hyderabad managed to win the game pretty comfortably and will now be taking on KKR on May 26 at Chepauk.
1. Tripahi’s cameo changed momentum
Abhishek looked sharp in the first over as he was dealing in boundaries but Trent Boult managed to pick up his wicket on the final delivery. It was expected for them to slow down for a bit but Rahul Tripathi had a different idea. He didn’t want to change the approach and played a crucial impact in shaping SRH’s innings early on.
2. Klaasen killed the game for RR
Had Rajasthan picked up the wicket of Klaasen early, things could have been different for the Sanju Samson-led side. He remained in the crease till the 19th over, which pushed Rajasthan away. Courtesy of his 50, SRH posted 175 runs on the board, which was enough for them to win and make it to the final.
3. All Hail Captain Cummins
The way Cummins used his bowlers tonight was nothing short of extraordinary. Bringing Shahbaz, Markram and Abhishek at the right time was crucial and Cummins was spot on with that. Ahead of the tournament, there was a lof of talk on whether Cummins is the right option for SRH but the Australian definitely shut them up now.
Losing captain Sanju Samson said:
It was a big game. I am really proud of the way we bowled in the first innings. We were found short of options in the middle overs against their spin, that’s where we lost the game. It’s very hard to guess actually when we are expecting some dew or when we are not. The wicket started behaving differently in the second innings, the ball started turning a bit, they used that advantage really well. They bowled their spin in the middle overs against our right-handed batsmen, that’s where they were one-up against us. Against their left-arm spin, when the ball was stopping, we could have tried a bit more reverse-sweep or maybe use of the crease a bit more. They also bowled really well. We have had some brilliant games not only this season but from the last three years, it has been a great project for our franchise. We have found some really great talent for the country. Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and a lot of them are looking really exciting not only for RR but definitely for the Indian cricket team. We have had some great seasons from the last three years. (On Sandeep Sharma) I am really happy for him. By not being picked in the auction and coming back as a replacement, the way he bowled, he has definitely delivered. If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he will be the next guy after Bumrah. He has done a great job. (Final) The condition suits both of them, so let’s see how they come back again in the powerplay. SRH batsmen are very interesting, they can definitely take the game away. KKR also will be confident, they look very exciting. It’ll be a great game, that’s what IPL has been giving us for the last 16 years.
Winning skipper Pat Cummins said:
(on SRH’s turnaround from 2023) You’ve seen that in the way we played. The finals was the goal and we’ve made it. (Finding another way to win tonight) We knew our strength was batting but we wouldn’t underestimate the experience in the side like Nattu, Unadkat and Bhuvi. (Shahbaz as the Impact Sub choice) That was Vettori’s choice, he likes his left-arm spinners. (Using Sharma’s four overs) I felt there was a bit of a grip. (Total felt enough at the break?) Finals are always funny. These turn into tough chases. Needed early wickets and we got that. (Seeing how dew works in India) I won’t ever pretend to work out how it works. (Final) For the whole franchise, there are 60-70 of us who are involved, it is really gratifying. Hopefully one more
POTM Shahbaz Ahmed said:
(You knew you’ll be an impact player?) Captain and coach said that we’ll use you according to the situation. My role is to play lower-order and since we had a collapse, I got a chance. (Pitch for today’s bowling for him) When I was batting, I felt this wicket had something when Sandeep and Avesh were bowling. Felt there’ll be purchase later. (His SRH experience, being traded, not playing every game) I am feeling proud to be MOTM in such a big match. The team environment has been relaxed. (Celebration tonight?) We’ll save the celebrations for after the final. For now, it’s about relaxation.”