In a stunning turn of events, Sunrisers Hyderabad snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Rajasthan Royals. Despite RR appearing to have control for most of the chase, they stumbled in the final few overs, allowing SRH to seize the opportunity and move up to fourth on the points table. RR stay top despite the setback.
Brilliant first six overs for RR
The RR bowlers displayed excellent control, stifling the SRH batters in the initial overs. Despite an aggressive start, they struggled to score freely due to disciplined bowling. Trent Boult nearly struck with his first ball, although the opportunity slipped with a dropped catch. Unfazed, Boult remained committed to his strategy. Ravichandran Ashwin impressed with his variations and flight although he remained wicketless. Avesh Khan, however, provided the breakthrough by dismissing Abhishek Sharma. Sandeep Sharma, in top form this season, maintained the pressure with his mixed bag and claimed a crucial wicket by outsmarting Anmolpreet Singh with his change in pace.
Nitish and Head get SRH back in game
SRH required a middle-order partnership to rebuild their innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Travis Head provided that. Head, known for his explosive batting, adopted a cautious approach initially before unleashing his attacking strokes. Reddy remained unbeaten with a brilliant 76 off 42 balls. He adjusted his tempo, making batting seem effortless on a slightly challenging pitch. He fearlessly took on the bowlers, including Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, showing his ability to clear the boundaries with ease. Heinrich Klaasen’s impactful knock of 42 runs off 19 deliveries boosted SRH’s total, providing momentum towards the end of the innings.
Bhuvneshwar provides SRH the perfect start
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, known for his swing bowling ability, provided SRH the ideal start by claiming two dismissals in the first over. His first victim was Jos Buttler, who was lured into a delivery that swung away from him, resulting in an edge into the hands of Marco Jansen at slip. The second wicket fell to an outstanding delivery, with RR captain Sanju Samson bowled by an in-swinger. These early breakthroughs put SRH in a strong position, but their inability to sustain the pressure allowed the game to drift.
Parag and Jaiswal rebuild for RR
With RR under pressure, Riyan Parag had to stabilise the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Both of them rose to the occasion, showing why they are highly rated. Their partnership was characterised by complementary batting styles and it propelled RR ahead in the game at one stage. Displaying aggression, both batters played their shots, making the chase appear effortless. However, Jaiswal fell while attempting a cheeky shot, and Parag was caught in the deep. Despite their inability to see RR through to victory, their efforts placed the team in a winning position.
Dramatic last-ball win for SRH
For a significant portion of the match, RR appeared to be on track for victory. The momentum suddenly shifted with a flurry of wickets. Shimron Hetmyer, renowned for his ability to finish games, fell to a mistimed shot in the deep. Rovman Powell, who remained at the crease until the final delivery, will likely be devastated, having guided RR close to victory but ultimately falling short. Nevertheless, credit goes to the SRH bowlers for maintaining composure when the odds seemed against them, especially in the last two overs. Bhuvneshwar’s experience once again proved invaluable as he remained calm under pressure, securing a crucial victory for his team with the final wicket of Powell. While RR may be disappointed, this was yet another reminder that in cricket, it’s never over until it’s over.
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