In the 2024 IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad bounced back with a commanding six-wicket triumph over the Chennai Super Kings on Friday. Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start, hammering 37 runs off a mere 12 deliveries to set the tone, complemented by Aiden Markram’s composed 50 off 36 balls and Travis Head’s handy 31 off 24 balls.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, SRH under the leadership of captain Pat Cummins efficiently contained CSK’s run rate within the initial eight overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck early, dismissing Rachin Ravindra for 12 off nine balls. CSK’s skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad followed suit, falling to Shahbaz Ahmed in the eighth over after scoring 26 off 21 deliveries. The entrance of Shivam Dube injected momentum into CSK’s innings as he bludgeoned 45 runs off just 24 balls, propelling them to a promising 119/2 by the 14th over. However, his departure, courtesy of Pat Cummins, marked a turning point as SRH tightened their grip, restricting CSK to a mere 38 runs in the final five overs. Consequently, CSK concluded their innings at 165/5, setting a target for SRH to chase down.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings – SRH Joins 4-Point Brigade with Convincing Victory
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s latest win sees them joining the 4-point club in the IPL 2024, becoming the fifth team to achieve this milestone. While Chennai Super Kings maintain their lead in this group, currently sitting third due to their superior net run rate, it’s worth noting that it’s still early days in the tournament, and the league table hasn’t gained significant meaning yet.
One notable trend in this season’s IPL is the aggressive approach teams have adopted from the outset, often slowing down to consolidate during the middle overs. SRH, however, took this strategy to the extreme, almost playing two distinct matches – one during the powerplay and another afterward. Nonetheless, their victory, achieved with 11 balls to spare, underscores their dominance in both encounters so far.
Despite their widespread support, CSK now finds themselves with some introspection to do after suffering two consecutive defeats. These setbacks provide them with valuable lessons and opportunities for improvement moving forward.
