New Delhi: In a thrilling encounter, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 finals by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2 match held at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Sunrisers emerged victorious by a margin of 36 runs, leaving Rajasthan Royals to rue missed opportunities.
Match Summary:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Batting first, Sunrisers posted a competitive total of 175 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive half-century (50 runs off 34 balls) anchored their innings.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): Chasing a target of 176 runs, Rajasthan Royals struggled to find momentum. Despite valiant efforts from Dhruv Jurel (56 not out) and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (42), they managed only 139 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
- Key Performers:
- Sunrisers: Shahbaz Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three crucial wickets for just 23 runs. Abhishek Sharma also contributed with two wickets for 24 runs.
- Rajasthan Royals: Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten knock and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive innings were the highlights for the Royals.
Captain’s Take:
After the match, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson expressed pride in his team’s bowling performance but lamented the middle-order batting collapse. He acknowledged that the absence of dew during the game favored the Sunrisers’ bowlers. Samson emphasized the unpredictability of dew and praised the spin tactics employed by the Sunrisers against their right-handed batsmen.
Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag received accolades from Samson for their consistent performances throughout the tournament. As the Sunrisers gear up for the finals, cricket fans eagerly await an exciting clash between the two top teams.
