Who won the IPL match yesterday? The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad witnessed a nail-biting finish on the 2nd of May, 2024, as the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) edged past the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by a solitary run in the 50th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This match will be etched in memory for its dramatic twists and turns, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats till the very last delivery.
SRH Set a Challenging Target
Pat Cummins, the SRH skipper, opted to bat first after winning the toss. The opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head got off to a cautious start. However, Head soon found his rhythm, scoring a well-paced 58 off 44 deliveries.
The middle order saw a brief stutter with the dismissal of Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram. However, the arrival of Nitish Reddy at the crease proved to be a game-changer. He unleashed a whirlwind knock of 76 runs off just 42 balls, peppering the boundaries with eight sixes and three fours. His aggressive batting, coupled with a cameo from Heinrich Klaasen (42 off 19), propelled Sunrisers Hyderabad to a respectable total of 201/3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Royals’ Chase Takes a Dramatic Turn
The Royals’ chase began confidently, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler providing a solid foundation. Jaiswal continued his impressive form, scoring a fluent 54, while Buttler, after a slow start, looked dangerous before being dismissed for 32.
The mantle then fell upon the in-form duo of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. Samson, the Rajasthan Royals captain, played a watchful innings, anchoring the chase. Parag, on the other hand, took the SRH bowlers to the cleaners, smashing a belligerent 62 off just 34 deliveries.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Holds his Nerve
With 34 runs required from the last four overs and five wickets in hand, the Royals looked poised for victory. However, the tide began to turn with the dismissal of the dangerous Parag by Umran Malik.
The experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the 19th over. He kept his cool under pressure, conceding just 8 runs and dismissing the well-set Samson with a crafty slower ball.
The equation came down to 11 runs needed from the final over, bowled by Bhuvneshwar. Royals’ Shimron Hetmyer smashed a boundary off the first ball, raising hopes of a thrilling finish. However, what followed was a tense battle between bat and ball. Bhuvneshwar held his nerve, conceding just a single and a bye in the next three deliveries.
With two runs needed from the last ball, RR’s hopes rested on Rovman Powell. Bhuvneshwar bowled a slower ball, which Powell managed to connect with, but only for a leading edge. The ball ballooned towards deep mid-wicket, where fielder Abdul Samad took a comfortable catch to spark jubilation in the SRH camp.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- **Nitish Reddy’s Innings: **The turning point of the match was undoubtedly Nitish kumar Reddy’s swashbuckling knock. He single-handedly propelled SRH to a competitive total, showcasing his power-hitting prowess.
- **Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Experience: **The veteran pacer displayed his experience and composure under pressure, bowling a crucial final over and taking the match-winning wicket.
- **RR’s Missed Opportunities: **Despite being in a commanding position for a major part of the chase, the Royals faltered at the death, failing to capitalize on the strong foundation laid by their top order.
Looking Ahead
This thrilling victory will be a huge confidence booster for SRH, who were coming off two consecutive defeats. They will need to maintain this momentum to stay in contention for a playoff berth.
For the Royals, this loss will be a harsh lesson in finishing close matches. They will need to regroup and address their middle-order batting woes to bounce back from this setback.
The 50th match of Indian Premier League 2024 was a true advertisement for the power and unpredictability of T20 cricket. It showcased individual brilliance, tactical battles, and a dramatic finish that will be remembered for a long time to come.
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