In a commanding performance, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) secured a 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR), earning their place in the 2024 Indian T20 League final. This victory highlighted the advantage of finishing in the top two of the group stages, which afforded Hyderabad a crucial second chance.

Rajasthan Royals, who had stumbled at the end of the group stage, repeated their mistakes in this encounter. This allowed Hyderabad to bounce back from their Qualifier 1 defeat with a strong showing. SRH’s pace attack started impressively, restricting and eventually dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore early.

However, the decision to introduce Bhuvneshwar Kumar as an additional Powerplay backfired, creating some pressure. Despite the absence of frontline spinners, captain Pat Cummins effectively relied on Impact Substitute Shahbaz Ahmed to lead in the middle overs. Ahmed delivered a standout performance, taking three wickets, while Abhishek Sharma chipped in with two, effectively controlling the game.

Rajasthan Royals will be disappointed by this loss, feeling they squandered a golden opportunity after a strong league stage performance. Sanju Samson led admirably, but it wasn’t enough. Yashasvi Jaiswal began brightly with the bat, but Kohler-Cadmore’s early dismissal set them back. After Jaiswal’s departure, key players like Samson and Riyan Parag threw their wickets away, adding to the pressure on the team. Despite a valiant effort from Dhruv Jurel, who scored a quick fifty, it wasn’t enough to rescue Rajasthan.

Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma shine as SRH secure final spot

Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head opened for SRH, but the team faced an early setback as Trent Boult dismissed Abhishek in the first over, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore taking an easy catch. Boult continued his impressive spell, dismissing Rahul Tripathi for 55/2 in 4.3 overs, with Yuzvendra Chahal taking a sharp catch. Boult snatched three key wickets, including that of Aiden Markram, putting SRH under pressure inside the Powerplay.

Sandeep Sharma added to SRH’s woes by dismissing Travis Head, caught by Ravichandran Ashwin, leaving SRH at 99/4 in 9.6 overs. Avesh Khan then took over, removing Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abdul Samad in quick succession, reducing SRH to 120/6 in 13.6 overs. Heinrich Klaasen fell soon after, tightening the Royals’ grip. Avesh Khan claimed Shahbaz Ahmed and a run-out saw Pat Cummins dismissed, restricting SRH to 175/9.

Boult and Avesh Khan’s early strikes in vain as RR fall short

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore opened for the Royals. However, Kohler-Cadmore was caught by Rahul Tripathi off Pat Cummins’ delivery, leaving RR at 24/1 in 3.6 overs. Jaiswal’s bright start ended soon, and with his dismissal, RR was two down. The loss of Samson and Parag further plunged the Royals into trouble.

Shahbaz Ahmed played a crucial role, dismissing Parag and Ashwin, leaving RR at five down and in dire straits. Abhishek Sharma removed Shimron Hetmyer, reducing RR to 92/6 in 13.4 overs. T Natarajan dismissed Rovman Powell, with RR at 124/7 in 17.4 overs. Despite Dhruv Jurel’s valiant effort, scoring fifty off 26 balls, it wasn’t enough as SRH sealed a place in the final with a 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals.

See Also: Fans applaud ‘lone warrior’ Dhruv Jurel against SRH in Qualifier 2

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s disciplined bowling and strategic captaincy led by Pat Cummins paved the way for their dominant win, setting them up for the final showdown in the 2024 Indian T20 League.