IPL 2024, Qualifier 2, SRH vs RR: Shahbaz Ahmed, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen take SRH to finals. Top takeaway for RR and SRH from the Qualifier 2.
Brief Scores: SRH 175/9 (Klaasen 50, Tripathi 37, Avesh Khan 3/27) beat RR 139/7 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 42, Jurel 56, Ahmed 3/23) by 36 runs.
Player of the Match: Shahbaz Ahmed 3/23
In a thrilling display of professional bowling and fielding prowess, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured their spot in the final. While Yashasvi Jaiswal's early aggression posed a threat, his partner, Tom Kohler Cadmore, struggled and eventually fell. However, it was SRH's spinners who emerged as the unlikely heroes of the match, despite their rare utilisation throughout the season.
Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, the left-arm spinners, dismantled Rajasthan Royals' (RR) batting lineup, paving the way for SRH's pacers to capitalise. Shahbaz's exceptional three-wicket haul, including crucial dismissals of Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, alongside Abhishek's key scalps of Samson and Hetmyer, ensured that RR's middle-order slump persisted.
Tremendous captaincy from Cummins, recognising the effectiveness of spin on the surface, further bolstered SRH's performance, with the absence of dew playing a pivotal role as the ball gripped and turned. Despite a resilient effort from Dhruv Jurel for RR, SRH clinched a comfortable victory, setting the stage for an exciting rematch of Qualifier 1 in the final showdown on Sunday.
Key Takeaways from SRH vs RR, Qualifier 2, Winning Team (SRH)
Shahbaz Ahmed finally comes to the party
Shahbaz Ahmed finally made his mark with the ball, delivering a stellar performance for SRH. His figures of 4 overs, 23 runs, and 3 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.75 significantly impacted the game.
One crucial wicket was that of Riyan Parag, which left the RR dugout stunned. Sunil Gavaskar, commentating on air, expressed disbelief at Parag's lack of temperament, particularly criticising his ambitious shot selection. Parag attempted a swipe at a flat delivery outside off, resulting in a top-edge caught comfortably by Abhishek Sharma. This wicket tilted the match further in SRH's favour, leaving RR with a daunting task ahead.
Another of Ahmed's wickets was that of Jaiswal, who fell victim to his own impatience. While attempting a lofted shot, he failed to connect properly, resulting in a simple catch for Abdul Samad. Jaiswal's frustration was evident as he walked back to the pavilion, acknowledging his mistake. This breakthrough provided SRH with a crucial opening, highlighting Shahbaz Ahmed's impact as a game-changer for his team.
Read More: IPL 2024, Eliminator, RCB vs RR: Ashwin's 2-19, Boult's 1-16 terminate Bengaluru's journey
Abhishek Sharma’s fielding and bowling brilliance
Abhishek Sharma showcased his prowess both in the field and with the ball in this match. His figures of 4 overs, 24 runs, and 2 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.00 highlighted his bowling impact. He demonstrated his fielding prowess with a crucial catch at deep mid-wicket, dismissing Powell off Natarajan's delivery. Despite initially misjudging the flight, he adjusted swiftly to secure the catch to his left.
His bowling continued to trouble the opposition as he claimed the wicket of Hetmyer with a flat delivery that deceived the batter. Abhishek's fielding skills were once again on display when he took a sharp catch to dismiss Riyan Parag, leaving the RR dugout shell-shocked.
Additionally, his bowling prowess was evident when he claimed the wicket of Samson, inducing a catch comfortably taken by Aiden Markram at long-on. These contributions from Abhishek significantly bolstered SRH's performance and played a crucial role in their victory.
Read More: IPL 2024, Qualifier 1, SRH vs KKR: Starc 3-34, Varun 2-26 derail Sunrisers; Kolkata storm into Final
Key Takeaways from SRH vs RR, Qualifier 2, Losing Team (RR)
Pacers gave RR a solid chance
In a pivotal match, the pacers of Rajasthan demonstrated their bowling prowess with a solid performance that significantly bolstered their chances. Avesh Khan emerged as a standout performer, delivering a formidable display with the ball. His four overs yielded 3 wickets at the cost of just 27 runs, showcasing both accuracy and potency. His economy rate of 6.80 underlines his ability to apply pressure on the opposition while consistently claiming wickets, making him a formidable force in the RR's bowling arsenal.
Alongside Avesh, Sandeep Sharma's economical spell of four overs, conceding only 25 runs while claiming two wickets left a notable mark on the game. Despite conceding 45 runs in his four overs, Boult managed to clinch 3 crucial wickets, demonstrating his ability to capitalise on opportunities and dismantle the opposition's batting lineup. Overall, a collective effort from the bowling unit was instrumental in restricting Hyderabad’s power-packed batting to 175 runs.
Read More: Major Trends in IPL 2024: Rise of Young India, Enhanced risk-taking & Accelerated strike rates
RR continued to slide in the business end yet again
Rajasthan's struggle persisted in the latter half of the tournament, echoing a pattern from the previous season. This unfortunate trend saw them falter once again, failing to secure a spot in the finals despite coming tantalisingly close for the second consecutive year.
The team's inability to maintain momentum throughout the tournament has been a recurring issue, leading to their eventual slide down the rankings. Fans and supporters can only hope that Rajasthan will regroup and find a way to break this cycle in the upcoming season, as they strive to overcome the challenges that have prevented them from reaching the finals.
Statistical highlights from SRH vs RR, Qualifier 2
Yuzevendra Chahal has now conceded most sixes in the history of IPL.
In 3 innings against Sandeep Sharma in the IPL, Travis Head has scored 25 runs off 21 balls, facing two dismissals, resulting in a strike rate of 119.0.
Heinrich Klaasen has hit most sixes against spin in IPL 2024
What’s next to come
After a comprehensive win in Qualifier 2, SRH booked the remaining spot in the finals. The action will now shift to Chepauk on May 26 for the final clash between SRH and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. An epic final showdown is on the cards, featuring the two top teams of IPL 2024.