Sunrisers Hyderabad are through to their third IPL final after beating Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs in Qualifier 2 on Friday night. They are gearing up for the title clash with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) set to take place at the same venue on Sunday (May 26).
In their 11 seasons in the IPL, SRH have got their hands on the trophy just once in 2016. Back then, the David Warner-led team defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by eight runs to become the champions.
Two seasons later SRH, led by Kane Williamson, appeared in another title clash but had a disappointing end as they lost to Chennai Super Kings who chased down the target of 179 in 18.3 overs. For the past three seasons though, SRH has endured horrific runs – twice finishing with the wooden spoon.
With new skipper Pat Cummins reinvigorating the winning spirit, SRH would want to equal KKR’s in trophy counts this year.
SRH started their IPL 2024 campaign against KKR – the team they will be taking on one final time as well. However, they didn’t have the desired start though, failing to chase down the KKR-set target of 209, leading to a narrow four-run defeat.
They came back stronger in the next match, posting the then-highest IPL team total of 277/3, powered by Heinrich Klassen’s 80 of 34 and 60+ runs each from Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. The SRH bowlers also did their part in thrashing the Mumbai Indians, keeping them to 246.
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After a spectacular win, their next match again ended with a loss as Gujarat Titans chased down the 163-run target with five balls remaining. The GT bowlers kept SRH batters quiet with none crossing the 30-run mark.
SRH returned to winning ways as they chased down 166 in 18.1 overs against CSK next. Aiden Markam’s 50 off 36 and the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head’s 60+ partnership set the platform for a facile win.
SRH went on to win their next three matches too. The first one was a nerve-wracking game against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur where SRH won by a whisker – 2 runs. The primary contributor to the win was SRH’s newfound hero Nitish Kumar Reddy, who smashed 64 off 37 and also registered figures of 1/33.
SRH then got the better of RCB and Delhi Capitals with significant victory margins. They recorded the highest-ever total (287) in the history of T20 cricket in their match against RCB, powered by Travis Head’s maiden IPL ton off just 39 balls and Klassen’s 67 off 31. Markam and Samad ended the innings with quickfire 30+ runs each, staying unbeaten.
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After their 25-run triumph over RCB, SRH registered a big 67-run win against DC. Scoring big totals became sort of a norm for the Orange Army at this point as they posted 266/7, with help from Head’s 89 off 32, Abhishek Sharma’s 46 off 12, and Shahbaz Ahmed’s 59 off 29. DC were bowled out for 199.
SRH again faced RCB but this time the tables were turned. RCB scored a 200+ total and won by 35 runs. Abhishek’s 31 off 13 did give them a good start but the fall of wickets at regular intervals took the game away.
SRH ended up conceding 212/3 against CSK next and received a 78-run thrashing. SRH were skittled for 134 in 18.5 overs. Markram top scored for them with 32 off 26.
Their losing run ended with a lucky one-run win over RR. In the dramatic last over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/41) dismissed Rovman Powell off the final delivery, taking his side over the line.
SRH were given a rude awakening by bottom-placed MI as they chased down 174 for a seven-wicket win. With Suryakumar Yadav’s return to form, as he scored a ton, MI were a class apart with the bat.
A hurt SRH then produced a blistering show against Lucknow Super Giants. They comfortably chased down 166 at their home ground, with their opening duo being entering the beast mode. Head’s 89 off 30 and Sharma’s 75* off 28 helped them chase down 166 in mere 9.4 overs for a 10-wicket win.
Rain washed their next fixture against GT. SRH then defeated PBKS to secure a top-two finish and advanced to the Qualifier 1.
SRH ended the league stages gloriously and faced KKR in Qualifier 1. KKR were ruthless as they first limited SRH to 159 and then overhauled the target in 13.4 overs to storm into the final.
SRH then took on RR in the Qualifier 2 for another shot at making it to the title clash. Batting first, SRH made 175/9 on a tricky pitch. Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma exploited the spin-friendly conditions to restrict RR to 139/7 and enter the final.
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