IPL 2024 Highlights: The double-header on Sunday (April 28) witnessed two lopsided affairs. In the afternoon tie, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their resurgence as they scripted a 9-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad.
The evening clash, meanwhile, saw Chennai Super Kings (CSK) rule the roost over the Sunrisers Hyderabad to register their 50th IPL win at the Chepauk Stadium. With the 78-run win, CSK have now joined the other four IPL franchises with 10 points on the points leaderboard.
Sai Sudharsan powers GT to 200
Stepping up to the plate in the second over, Sai Sudharsan became the rock of the GT’s innings against RCB. His unbeaten knock of 84 runs from just 49 balls steered his team towards a competitive total. The southpaw displayed exceptional elegance at the crease, peppering the boundaries with eight fours and four sixes. He kept the RCB bowlers at bay with his consistent strokeplay, never allowing them to settle into a rhythm.
Sudharsan’s brilliance shone even brighter in the death overs. He smashed a staggering 24 runs off the last nine balls he faced, which highlights his ability to accelerate when needed. This late flourish propelled the GT to a respectable 200, putting them in a good position despite losing early wickets.
Does it take only 6 mins to go from 50 to 100? Will Jacks thinks so!
Will Jacks’ IPL debut season turned into a dream run as he single-handedly demolished the GT bowling attack. His maiden century was phenomenal, but the most incredible aspect was his acceleration in the latter half. Jacks reached his fifty in decent time, but it was the next 50 runs that truly stunned the audience.
He reached his hundred from fifty in just a matter of six minutes. The Englishman completely tore into the GT bowlers, with a flurry of sixes, completely shifting the momentum and securing a convincing win for RCB. Virat Kohli played a crucial supporting role with an unbeaten 70, but the day undoubtedly belonged to Jacks.
Gaikwad continues his purple patch
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has well and truly turned around his IPL 2024 form. After a shaky start to the season, Gaikwad has hit a rich vein of scoring, treating fans to a masterclass in batting. In the previous match, he smashed a brilliant century. He nearly repeated the feat this time around, falling just two runs short of another hundred. Despite missing out on a consecutive century, Gaikwad’s knock of 98 off 54 balls was crucial. His innings, laced with 10 fours and 3 sixes, propelled CSK to a commanding total of 212/3, which ultimately proved too much for the opposition.
Stumps shattering yorker ft. Pathirana
CSK bowlers had a relatively easy time defending a mammoth 200+ run total against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). But amidst a comfortable bowling performance, the young Sri Lankan fast bowler, Matheesha Pathirana, stole the limelight with a spectacular yorker delivery. Pathirana’s delivery was a searing yorker clocked at 147 kmph. The ball deceived the well-set Aiden Markram, forcing him to play a drive. However, Markram was completely undone by the pace and accuracy of the yorker. He missed the ball entirely, and it crashed into his middle stump, sending him packing. This dismissal left SRH reeling at a precarious 85-5, and they were eventually bundled out for a paltry 134, handing CSK a comfortable victory.
