Travis Head smashed 89 runs from just 32 balls. | © iplt20.com
The 35th match of IPL 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was a spectacle of big-hitting and exceptional bowling spells. The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) emerged victorious by a massive 67 runs, thanks to a record-breaking knock from their opener and some clinical bowling performances.
SRH Batsmen Set the Stage on Fire
Despite losing the toss, they were put into bat, and SRH openers came out with all guns blazing. Travis Head, the left-handed batsman from Australia, stole the show with a breathtaking knock of 89 runs off 32 balls. His innings were a masterclass in clean hitting, peppered with boundaries that soared over the ropes and audacious sixes that bewildered the Delhi Capitals bowlers. This knock, the fastest fifty in IPL 2024 so far, put SRH in a commanding position.
Middle-Order Mayhem
Head’s departure didn’t dampen the SRH spirits. The in-form Shahbaz Ahmed walked in and continued the carnage. His unbeaten knock of 59 runs off 29 balls was a whirlwind of power and precision, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. The young gun, Abhishek Sharma, chipped in with a quickfire 46 off just 12 balls, further accelerating the run rate. The Delhi Capitals bowlers, despite Kuldeep Yadav’s valiant effort of picking up 4 wickets for 55 runs, seemed helpless against the onslaught of boundaries and sixes.
DC’s Blip on the Radar
Chasing a mammoth target of 267 runs, the Delhi Capitals needed a special effort from their batters. Youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk provided a glimmer of hope with a knock of 65 runs off a staggering 18 balls. His innings displayed fearless hitting, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to sustain the chase. The experienced Rishabh Pant (44 off 35) tried to hold the fort from the other end, but wickets started to tumble regularly.
SRH Bowling Tightens the Grip
T. Natarajan, the left-arm pacer from SRH, emerged as the bowling hero for his side. His accurate yorkers and sharp deliveries proved too much to handle for the DC batters, fetching him a well-deserved 4 wickets for just 19 runs. The spin duo of Abhishek Sharma (2/17) and Mayank Markande (2/26) provided excellent support, picking up crucial wickets regularly and stifling any hopes of a DC comeback.
A Night to Remember for SRH
This convincing victory was a complete team performance from SRH. Head’s record-breaking knock set the tone for a dominant batting display, while the bowlers, led by Natarajan, ensured that the target remained out of reach for the Delhi Capitals. This win will propel SRH further up the IPL 2024 points table and serve as a warning to their opponents about their explosive batting firepower and ability to defend even the most daunting totals.
Match Summary
Sunrisers Hyderabad 266/7 (20) |
|
| Travis Head
89 (32) |
Kuldeep Yadav 4/55 (4) |
| Shahbaz Ahmed
59* (29) |
Axar Patel 1/29 (4) |
| Abhishek Sharma
46 (12) |
Mukesh Kumar 1/57 (4) |
Delhi Capitals 199 (19.1) |
|
| Jake Fraser-McGurk
65 (18) |
T. Natarajan 4/19 (4) |
| Rishabh Pant
44 (35) |
Nitish Kumar Reddy 2/17 (2.1) |
| Abishek Porel
42 (22) |
Mayank Markande 2/26 (2) |
Toss: DC won the toss and decided to bowl
Stadium: Arun Jaitley
Result: SRH won by 67 runs
Player of the Match: Travis Head (SRH) – 89* (32)
