With a target of 176 to chase, RR’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore took the field. Bhuvneshwar Kumar opened the bowling for SRH, adding immediate pressure on the batters with his precision.

Early Setbacks for RR

The run chase began on a shaky note for RR. Shahbaz Ahmed, known for his economical bowling, struck thrice to derail their innings. Jaiswal, who looked dangerous with a quick 42, was the first to fall, miscuing a lofted shot to Abdul Samad. This was followed by the dismissals of Riyan Parag and R Ashwin, who were both sent back cheaply by Ahmed.

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Middle Order Collapse

Shahbaz Ahmed’s exceptional bowling left RR struggling to stabilize their innings. His spell of 4 overs, yielding 3 wickets for just 23 runs, was instrumental in putting RR on the back foot. The middle order could not build any significant partnerships, leading to a rapid decline in their run rate.

Key Moments in RR’s Innings

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive start gave RR hope, but his dismissal marked a turning point. The middle-order collapse, triggered by Ahmed’s triple strike, further compounded their problems. Despite efforts to rebuild, RR found it difficult to recover from the early blows.

Fielding Brilliance by SRH

SRH’s fielding was top-notch, with crucial catches and sharp ground fielding making a significant impact. Abdul Samad’s catch to dismiss Jaiswal and Klaasen’s effort to send Ashwin back were pivotal moments that tilted the game in SRH’s favor.

It is wonderful to witness the impact made by impact players, and that’s precisely what Shahbaz Ahmed achieved in the Qualifier 2.

Rajasthan Royals need 48 runs in 11 balls to win the match.