Sunrisers Hyderabad Send Rajasthan Royals Packing in Qualifier 2
If there’s one thing this IPL season keeps teaching us, it’s to expect the unexpected. In the high-stakes Qualifier 2, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) snatched the last ticket to the IPL 2024 final after outplaying Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 36 runs in a gripping contest at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium. The Pat Cummins-led side now faces Kolkata Knight Riders in a massive showdown for the elusive trophy. For Rajasthan, it was another heartbreak as the Sunrisers' bowlers proved far too clever and disciplined under pressure.
The Rajasthan Royals won the toss and made the obvious call to bowl first. With the ground offering a unique challenge—a 61-metre boundary on one side and a hefty 72 metres on the other—RR hoped their bowlers could tie down a dangerous batting line-up. While SRH looked strong at the top, their batting stuttered through the middle as wickets kept falling. At one point, even 175 looked like a long shot as the middle order collapsed.
Sunrisers had to act fast. They threw in Shahbaz Ahmed as their Impact Player earlier than planned—an inspired move. The left-hander steadied the innings with a handy contribution, though firepower at the end mainly came from the tail. Even with regular wickets, Hyderabad clawed their way to 175 for 9 in 20 overs—a total that looked slightly above par on this pitch.
Shahbaz Ahmed and Cummins Turn Up the Heat With the Ball
The narrative shifted dramatically when SRH took the ball. Some games have a clear hero; in this one, the plot spun around Shahbaz Ahmed, who turned out to be the unlikely game-changer. No one was really expecting a masterclass from him—the last time he took a wicket was April 5. Fast forward to a night when every ball mattered, and suddenly he’s bagging 3 wickets for just 23 runs. Rajasthan’s middle order couldn’t find the fence for 33 straight deliveries, a period across which Hyderabad picked up four vital wickets. That, right there, was the hammer blow.
Pat Cummins was as clinical as they come. His leadership shined, both in the way he rotated his bowlers and handled crunch moments. That ‘We have earned the right to have one of those days and still win tournaments’ comment from him earlier in the week? Suddenly, it didn’t sound cocky—just spot on. Cummins bowled with intent, maintaining the squeeze in those crucial overs where momentum could have easily shifted. The rest of the bowling group fell into rhythm, making sure Rajasthan’s star-studded line-up never looked settled.
By the time Rajasthan finished with 139 for 7, there was no doubt who deserved the win. Hyderabad had not only defended a total on a challenging pitch but had done it in style, thanks to a masterclass in bowling discipline and clever team management. This win pushes Sunrisers Hyderabad into their third IPL final, chasing that big trophy for the first time since 2016. Now, all that stands in their way is a formidably confident Kolkata Knight Riders squad. As the cricket world gears up for the title decider, IPL 2024 fans can't wait to see who takes the crown.
