In a nail-biting encounter in Hyderabad, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) successfully chased down a daunting 215-run target to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This win propelled SRH to the second spot in the points table, a significant achievement as the league phase drew close.

Match Summary

The match was a rollercoaster ride with brilliant individual performances and dramatic twists. PBKS, after winning the toss and opting to bat, set an imposing target of 214/5. SRH, despite an early setback, chased it down with contributions from several batters, finishing their innings at 215/6 in 19.4 overs.

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PBKS Innings

PBKS’s innings were blazing, thanks to their uncapped opening pair. Prabhsimran Singh and Atharva Taide shared a superb 97-run partnership from just 55 balls, navigating the power play without losing a wicket. Prabhsimran’s aggressive 71 off 45 balls, featuring seven fours and four sixes, set the tone for a high-scoring match.

Atharva Taide, though missing out on a fifty, scored a brisk 46 off 27 balls. After Taide’s departure, Rilee Rossouw joined Prabhsimran and continued the onslaught with a 32-ball 49, maintaining the momentum.

SRH Bowling Highlights

SRH bowlers had a mixed day. T Natarajan (2/33) was among the pick of the bowlers, taking crucial wickets. Pat Cummins (1/36) and leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth also chipped in with essential dismissals that helped contain the PBKS onslaught. Prabhsimran Singh and Rilee Rossouw’s wickets at crucial junctures were pivotal in preventing PBKS from reaching the 220-run mark.

SRH’s Chase Begins

The chase began on a rocky note for SRH, with Travis Head getting dismissed by Arshdeep Singh for a golden duck. This early blow could have derailed the chase, but SRH had other plans.

Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi then steadied the ship with an attacking 72-run stand. Tripathi, who made a lively 33 off 18 balls, fell to Harshal Patel, but the partnership laid a solid foundation for the chase. Nitish Kumar Reddy played a crucial role in the middle overs, scoring a vital 37 off 25 balls. His innings kept the required run rate in check and maintained the pressure on the PBKS bowlers.

PBKS fought back by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Abhishek Sharma’s 66 off 28 balls was a standout performance, but Shashank Singh’s dismissal brought PBKS back into the game.

Heinrich Klaasen’s Vital Knock

Heinrich Klaasen’s 42 off 26 balls was instrumental in keeping SRH in the hunt during the critical stages. His experience and composure under pressure were evident as he took on the PBKS bowlers.

With the match hanging in the balance, Abdul Samad and Sanvir Singh joined forces to guide SRH home. Their unbeaten partnership ensured a thrilling finish, with Samad hitting the winning runs.

Current Standings and Implications for SRH

With this win, SRH moved to the second spot in the points table, finishing the league phase with 17 points from 14 games and a net strike rate of 0.414.

PBKS ended their campaign in ninth place with just 10 points. Their inconsistent performance throughout the season led to their early exit.

Highest targets successfully chased by SRH
215 vs RR, Jaipur, 2023
215 vs PBKS, Hyderabad, 2024
199 vs RR, Hyderabad, 2019
188 vs DC, Delhi, 2018
186 vs CSK, Ranchi, 2014
215 is also the joint-highest target chased in IPL matches in Hyderabad; RR had chased down as many against the Deccan Chargers back in 2008.

Most 200-plus totals in an IPL season
6 – MI in 2023
6 – KKR in 2024
6 – RCB in 2024
6 – SRH in 2024

Most 200-plus totals in a Men’s T20 competition
42 – T20 Blast 2023
41 – IPL 2024
40 – T20 Blast 2022
37 – IPL 2023

Most sixes in an IPL season for SRH
41 – Abhishek Sharma, 2024
33 – Heinrich Klaasen, 2024
31 – David Warner, 2016
31 – Travis Head, 2024

Teams with most sixes in a T20 series
160 – SRH (IPL 2024)
157 – RCB (IPL 2024)
145 – CSK (IPL 2018)
144 – Surrey (T20 Blast 2023)
143 – KKR (IPL 2019)

Most wickets for PBKS in an IPL edition
24 – Andrew Tye (2018)
24 – Harshal Patel (2024)
23 – Kagiso Rabada (2022)
20 – Mohammed Shami (2020)

Successful 200-plus run-chases vs PBKS
224 – RR, Sharjah, 2020
215 – MI, Mohali, 2023
215 – SRH, Hyderabad, 2024
204 – RCB, Bengaluru, 2010
200 – KKR, Bengaluru, 2014 Final