TATA IPL 2024: SRH Edges RR by 1 Run, Bhuvneshwar, Cummins, Natarajan Shine
Bhuvneshwar Kumar showcased excellence with figures of 3-41, supported by Pat Cummins and T Natarajan who secured two wickets each, as Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a thrilling one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Following Nitish Reddy's remarkable display of stroke-play, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 42 balls, and Travis Head's contribution of 58 runs from 44 balls, the duo propelled SRH to a formidable total of 201/3. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's exceptional first over, claiming two wickets, including Rovman Powell on the final delivery, proved crucial as the hosts secured a nail-biting victory by the narrowest of margins.
Despite that initial setback of losing Jos Buttler and captain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 40-ball 67 and Riyan Parag’s 49-ball 77 helped RR be in the hunt of clinching an impressive win. But once the duo’s 133-run partnership was broken, SRH roared their way back into the game to seal it and complete a remarkable comeback, giving RR its first defeat while chasing in the season.
The nail-biting win takes SRH to fourth place, where they are tied with Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants on 12 points. RR’s chase of 202 was rocked by Bhuvneshwar in the opening over – having Buttler nicking behind to wide slip fielder for a golden duck, while Samson was castled by an inswinger rattling stumps through the gate.
From there, Jaiswal and Parag played breathtaking strokes from both ends against Bhuvneshwar, Pat Cummins, Marco Jansen and T Natarajan. They also had luck on their side - Jaiswal was dropped by Cummins at mid-off and Parag’s chance was shelled by Abhishek Sharma at extra cover, as RR ended power-play at 60/2.
Following the power-play, Jaiswal and Parag continued their aggressive onslaught, both reaching their respective fifties in just 30 and 31 balls during the 11th over. However, Jaiswal's innings came to an end at 67 off 40 balls as he played onto his stumps off Natarajan's delivery. Parag, after hitting two sixes and a four, was caught at long-on for 77 off 49 balls by Cummins. Despite Rovman Powell finding a few boundaries, SRH's resurgence persisted, with Shimron Hetmyer dismissed after hitting a low full toss straight to long-on off Natarajan. Dhruv Jurel, who sustained a left hamstring strain while fielding, flicked straight to deep square leg off Cummins.
In a superb 19th over, Cummins conceded only seven runs, although Powell managed to loft a six over extra cover on the last ball. Entering the final over with 12 runs needed for victory, and with four fielders positioned outside the 30-yard circle due to a slow over-rate, Powell scooped Bhuvneshwar for four. With just two runs required off the final delivery, Bhuvneshwar sealed a remarkable win for SRH over the table-toppers by trapping Powell lbw with a full toss aimed at the middle and leg.
