The game of cricket often hinges on crucial moments, and the Qualifier 2 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) exemplified this perfectly. At the heart of this pivotal encounter was Shahbaz Ahmed, whose remarkable performance turned the tide in SRH’s favor.

Ahmed’s Impactful Spell

As the match progressed, SRH found themselves in need of crucial breakthroughs to apply pressure on RR’s formidable batting lineup. It was then that Shahbaz Ahmed stepped up to the plate, delivering a spell that would alter the course of the game.

See Also: Jay Shah denies sending ‘coaching offer’ to any Australian for the Head Coach post

Key Wickets

In the 12th over of the match, Ahmed struck twice to dismantle RR’s batting order. His first victim in the game was Yashasvi Jaiswal, and then, in the 12th over, he first bagged Riyan Parag, who fell prey to Ahmed’s deceptive off-break delivery. Parag’s mistimed shot resulted in an easy catch for Abhishek Sharma, handing SRH a vital breakthrough. But Ahmed still needed to be finished. In the same over, he accounted for the dismissal of Ravichandran Ashwin, further denting RR’s hopes of a strong batting performance. But Ahmed still needed to be finished. In the same over, he accounted for the dismissal of Ravichandran Ashwin, further denting RR’s hopes of a strong batting performance.

Ahmed’s Contribution with the Bat

Not only did Ahmed shine with the ball, but he also made a valuable contribution with the bat earlier in the match. His partnership with Heinrich Klaasen helped SRH post a competitive total of 175 runs, showcasing his versatility as an impact player.

Cummins’ Insight

Reflecting on Ahmed’s performance, SRH captain Pat Cummins highlighted the strategic decision behind deploying him as an impact player. With insights from coach Dan Vettori, SRH capitalized on Ahmed’s left-arm orthodox bowling to gain an advantage over RR.

Pat Cummins, SRH’s winning captain: (on SRH’s turnaround from 2023) You’ve seen that in the way we played. The finals was the goal and we’ve made it. (Finding another way to win tonight) We knew our strength was batting but we wouldn’t underestimate the experience in the side like Nattu, Unadkat and Bhuvi. (Shahbaz as the Impact Sub choice) That was Vettori’s choice, he likes his left-arm spinners. (Using Sharma’s four overs) I felt there was a bit of a grip. (Total felt enough at the break?) Finals are always funny. These turn into tough chases. Needed early wickets and we got that. (Seeing how dew works in India) I won’t ever pretend to work out how it works. (Final) For the whole franchise, there are 60-70 of us who are involved, it is really gratifying. Hopefully one more.”

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Qualifier 2 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium was a gripping contest between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). Despite Dhruv Jurel’s valiant effort, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 35 balls, RR fell short by 36 runs. This win propelled SRH, led by Pat Cummins, to the final, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday.

RR won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to utilize the dew factor later in the match. SRH set a target of 176 runs, scoring 175/9 in their 20 overs. RR’s chase ended at 139/7, leaving them 36 runs short.

Dhruv Jurel’s Valiant Effort

Dhruv Jurel’s unbeaten 56 off 35 balls was the highlight of RR’s innings. His resilient performance kept RR’s hopes alive, but the lack of support from other batters proved costly. Jurel smashed seven fours and one six in a spirited knock.

See Also: ICC reveals Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador’s name

Jurel and Powell’s Partnership

Rovman Powell and Dhruv Jurel tried to rebuild the innings with a 32-run partnership. However, Powell’s dismissal in the 18th over left Jurel with too much to do.

T Natarajan dealt him the blow as he bowled a slower bouncer to Jurel, who went for an early pull, which cost him badly. He was in so much pain and no wonder he was down immediately. The RR physiotherapist checked him, and after a few minutes, Jurel stood up and kept playing until the end.

Fan Reactions

Jurel’s fighting spirit earned him praise on social media. Fans and cricket pundits lauded his resilience and determination.

RR’s Run Chase

Yashasvi Jaiswal gave RR a promising start, scoring 42 off 21 balls. However, the momentum shifted when Shahbaz Ahmed dismissed him. RR’s middle order crumbled under pressure. Shahbaz Ahmed’s three-wicket haul, including the crucial wickets of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, put RR in a precarious position.

IPL 2024 has witnessed thrilling cricketing action, with players showcasing their skills on the grand stage. As the tournament progresses, the race for the Orange and Purple Caps intensifies, highlighting individual brilliance amidst team efforts.

Orange Cap Standings in IPL 2024

Virat Kohli’s remarkable consistency with the bat has been the highlight of IPL 2024. Leading from the front for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli has silenced his critics with exceptional performances, accumulating a staggering 741 runs in 15 matches.

See Also: Pat Cummins reveals how Vettori’s decision helps in winning Qualifier 2

Despite Chennai Super Kings (CSK) exit from the playoffs, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a revelation with the bat. Stepping into the captaincy role in place of MS Dhoni, Gaikwad has exhibited maturity beyond his years, amassing 583 runs in 14 matches.

Riyan Parag’s resurgence in IPL 2024 has been a delight for Rajasthan Royals (RR) fans. Finally living up to expectations, Parag has displayed maturity and composure under pressure, scoring 573 runs in 16 matches.

Travis Head’s aggressive style of play has made him a standout performer for his team. Head has consistently been among the most explosive batters in the league, accumulating 567 runs in 14 games.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson demonstrated his batting prowess this season, amassing 531 runs in 16 games. However, in Qualifier 2 against SRH, he fell short, scoring only 10 runs.

IPL 2024: Orange Cap

IPL 2024 Purple Cap Standings

Harshal Patel has been phenomenal for Punjab Kings, becoming the first bowler to reach the 20-wicket mark this season. With 24 wickets in 14 matches, Patel has been a standout performer, especially in the death overs.

Jasprit Bumrah remains one of the most feared bowlers in the IPL. With 20 wickets in 13 matches, his performance against KKR was another reminder of his class and consistency.

Varun Chakravarthy’s unique bowling style has once again proven to be effective. Despite a shaky start, he now ranks among the top wicket-takers with 20 wickets in 14 matches.

T. Natarajan has been a consistent wicket-taker for SRH, with 19 wickets in 13 games. His ability to deliver at crucial moments has made him a valuable player for the team.

Avesh Khan claimed 3 wickets in Qualifier 2 against SRH, placing him fifth on the wicket-takers list with 19 wickets in 16 matches. Despite his impressive performance, his journey in the tournament ended following a decisive defeat by SRH.

IPL 2024: Purple Cap

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.

See Also: IPL 2024: Trent Boult and Avesh Khan restrict SRH from scoring big in Qualifier 2

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.

The IPL Qualifier 2 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) is underway. Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first. The choice to field was strategic, considering the pitch conditions and the dew factor that could come into play in the second innings.

First Over Highlights

Abhishek showcased his intent with a mighty pull over deep midwicket for a six. He followed it up with a boundary down the ground, adding valuable runs to the scoreboard. But just as he seemed to settle, he got a top edge trying to swipe across the line and was caught at cover.

See Also: Jay Shah denies sending ‘coaching offer’ to any Australian for the Head Coach post

Trent Boult’s First Breakthrough

In his element, Trent Boult struck early, removing Abhishek Sharma for 12 runs. The wicket, caught by Tom Kohler-Cadmore at backward point, was a significant early blow to SRH. Abhishek’s quick cameo included one four and one six.

Rahul Tripathi’s Explosive Batting

R Ashwin came into the attack and was met with aggressive batting from Rahul Tripathi. Tripathi punished Ashwin with consecutive boundaries and a massive six towards the fine leg fence, adding 16 runs off the over. SRH’s score read 45/1 after four overs.

Trent Boult Strikes Again

Just when SRH seemed to gain control, Trent Boult struck once more. He dismissed Rahul Tripathi, who Chahal caught at short third man. Tripathi’s 37-run knock was crucial, but Boult’s timely wicket shifted the balance.

Aiden Markram’s Short Stay

Aiden Markram, expected to stabilize the innings, briefly stayed at the crease. In a spectacular bowling display, Boult claimed his third wicket as Chahal caught Markram at short third. Markram managed only 1 run, leaving SRH in a precarious position.

End of the Powerplay

The powerplay ended with SRH at 65/3. It was an eventful phase featuring 8 fours, 3 sixes, and 3 wickets. Trent Boult’s exceptional bowling was the highlight, putting RR in a commanding position.

Trent Boult’s Impact

With his three crucial wickets, Trent Boult now holds the record for the most wickets in the powerplay in IPL 2024, with 12 scalps. His dominance has been a key factor for RR’s success this season.

Most wickets in the powerplay in IPL 2024
12 – Trent Boult*
10 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar
9 – Mitchell Starc
8 – Vaibhav Arora
8 – Khaleel Ahmed

Most Wickets in the first over of an IPL edition
8 – Trent Boult in 2020
7 – Trent Boult in 2024*
7 – Trent Boult in 2023
6 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2016
6 – Trent Boult in 2022
6 – Mohammad Siraj in 2023

Most wickets in the Powerplay in the IPL
71 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar
62 – Trent Boult*
59 – Sandeep Sharma
58 – Deepak Chahar
58 – Umesh Yadav
57 – Ishant Sharma

Bowlers with 100-plus T20 wickets in the Powerplay
128 – David Willey
118 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar
101 – Trent Boult