Amid the bedlam of 523 runs being scored, Pat Cummins’s 2 for 35 proved to be the decisive factor as Sunrisers Hyderabad usurped Mumbai Indians by 31 runs in an IPL 2024 game in Hyderabad. MI finished with 246 after SRH had accumulated a record-breaking 277.
Cummins – The X-factor
The SRH skipper came into the attack in the fifth over and immediately made a difference by removing the dangerous Rohit Sharma for 26 off just 12 deliveries. It was Cummins’s trademark hit-the-deck skills that came to the fore on that occasion. By then, Shahbaz Ahmed, the left-arm spinner, had already dismissed Ishan Kishan for a breezy 34 off only 13 deliveries.
Cummins returned to the attack in the later overs and kept the scoring rate under check by blending slower short deliveries and hit-the-deck bowling. He was also rewarded with the wicket of Tilak Varma. In the 19th over, Tim David tried to land a few pulls but even he couldn’t find a way against Cummins.
Tilak-Naman duo cause a few flutters
The duo, who joined forces with the score reading 66 for 2, shared an alliance of 84 in just over six overs. Umran Malik and Shahbaz were the two bowlers who came in for some severe punishment. Even Cummins was smashed for a four and a six by the pair. Eventually, the partnership was broken, with Naman Dhir spooning a catch to Cummins at covers.
Klaasen-Head-Abhishek pyrotechnics; MI’s bowlers suffer
There were as many as 18 sixes hit during SRH’s innings. Travis Head was intent on freeing his arms as he aggregated a 24-ball 62. Abhishek played with flair and panache, cracking a 23-ball 62. Meanwhile, Klaasen put on a splendid exhibition of fireworks to amass a 34-ball 80 not out. On the other hand, barring Jasprit Bumrah, rest of MI’s bowlers wilted under pressure in excellent conditions for batting. Kwena Maphaka, making his IPL debut, had a chastening experience, giving away 66 runs in his four overs.
Records galore
There were records galore. Most number of sixes were hit in a men’s T20 game – 38. It turned out to be the highest aggregate in a men’s T20 match – 523. And 277 is now the highest total in IPL. Not exactly a day to remember for the bowlers who took part in the game.