Before Qualifier 2, Shahbaz Ahmed was among the least effective spin bowlers in the tournament. It’s hard to blame him, as the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League has been tough for most spinners. Moreover, Shahbaz has primarily played the role of a batting all-rounder this season.

In IPL 2024, Shahbaz batted in 11 innings, averaging 25.9 at a strike rate of 130.2. Batting mainly in the lower order, he provided several valuable finishes, such as his 18 off 18 balls in Qualifier 2, which helped stretch Sunrisers Hyderabad’s total to 175. However, his left-arm orthodox spin had been underwhelming. Before Qualifier 2, he had bowled only 21 overs in 13 innings, picking up three wickets. His average was a high 75 runs per wicket, and he struggled to contain runs with an economy rate of 10.7.

When Sunrisers Hyderabad ended their innings at 175 on a slowish pitch in Chennai against Rajasthan Royals, the pressing question was whether SRH could defend the total with their inadequate spin bowling resources. SRH had bowled the fewest overs of spin in the competition, with the worst average (54.4) and economy rate (11.3). Compounding their challenge, RR had been one of the best teams at handling spin, with key batsmen Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag having been dismissed by spin only once each throughout the entire season.

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Exploring SRH’s Spin Strategy: A Comprehensive Analysis

When Shahbaz Ahmed was handed the ball for SRH’s first over of spin in the eighth over of RR’s chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal was determined to lower the required run rate. Having started slowly, Jaiswal quickly accelerated, moving from 14 off nine balls to 35 off 18. He showcased his aggressive intent by reverse-sweeping Shahbaz for a six over third man. However, three balls later, Jaiswal attempted another big shot, aiming to clear long off.

Anticipating Jaiswal’s aggression, Shahbaz pulled his length back, forcing Jaiswal to mistime the shot, resulting in a simple catch for the fielder. This was a significant breakthrough for Shahbaz, who had only taken three wickets in the tournament before this match. Securing such a crucial wicket within his first five balls on a high-stakes night was a pivotal moment in the game. Jaiswal’s dismissal triggered a collapse for RR. They had been cruising at 56/1 after seven overs.

However, in the next five overs bowled by Shahbaz and Abhishek, RR could only manage 24 runs for the loss of four crucial wickets, including those of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. The pitch seemed to offer more turn than anticipated, with both Shahbaz and Abhishek extracting significant grip and turn, almost like wrist-spinners. This sudden shift in the game’s dynamics saw SRH’s spinners take control, causing a dramatic slowdown in RR’s innings and shifting the momentum in SRH’s favour.

The pitch certainly aided Shahbaz Ahmed, but his performance on a crucial night, against all odds, demonstrated that he is far more than a bits-and-pieces player. Perhaps having another left-arm orthodox spinner who could contribute lower-order runs in the dressing room provided some extra confidence. Head coach Daniel Vettori’s decision to use Shahbaz as the Impact Player, as revealed by skipper Pat Cummins in the post-match interview, proved to be a masterstroke.

Moreover, SRH’s decision to trade Shahbaz from RCB before the season, in exchange for Mayank Dagar, has paid off handsomely. Both moves have been instrumental in transforming the franchise’s fortunes, lifting them from last year’s bottom-place finish to the finals this season. Shahbaz has been an underrated yet vital contributor to this remarkable turnaround.