The Sunrisers Hyderabad chased down a target of 166 in just 9.4 overs! Yes, you read that correctly. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head scored almost 3 runs per ball to take their side home. The two southpaws have made it a habit in the IPL 2024 to destroy the bowling line-ups and dreams of opposition fans as they pile on the pain.
On what seemed like a tough pitch when the Lucknow Super Giants were playing, the Pat Cummins-led side handed their skipper a perfect birthday gift by ending the match in just 58 balls. Apart from an early flight home, they also got a massive boost in the points table as they climbed to 3rd spot.
All not well in LSG camp?
After the thrashing, KL Rahul admitted that they were outplayed and gave Head and Abhishek their flowers. However, it seemed like LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka wasn’t too pleased with his skipper or the team. He was seen having a long animated chat with Rahul after the match, and it looked like he was giving the wicketkeeper opener an earful.
Head & Abhishek make records fall like flies
The dynamic duo’s 167-run stand saw them break multiple records. Due to their fireworks, SRH became the first team to chase a 100+ target in under 10 overs and broke their own record for most runs scored in the first 10 overs of an IPL match (previously 158). Travis Head broke his own record for the highest strike rate after playing 30 balls (296.66), and Head now also holds the record for the highest strike in the IPL for anyone who’s scored more than 500 runs.
Mumbai Indians knocked out of IPL 2024
The Lucknow Super Giants weren’t the only team to lose today. Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians suffered a heavier loss as they are the first team to be officially out of the IPL 2024. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s massive victory means that MI are no longer in the reckoning, and Hardik’s first stint as Mumbai’s captain comes to an early end.
Bhuvi’s back!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was at his best today. In a match where all of LSG’s bowlers went at over 14.5 runs per over, Bhuvi ended up with the figures of 4-0-12-2. Apart from him, only Pat Cummins managed to get a wicket for SRH, and he went for 47 runs in his quota of four overs. He gave away just 7 runs for 2 wickets in the powerplay and then returned at the end of the 18th over and stopped Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni from teeing off.
Unhappy Samson fined
Sanju Samson has paid for his indiscretion. After arguing with the on-field umpire following his controversial dismissal, the Rajasthan Royals skipper has been handed a 30% match fee fine. Samson was involved in a controversial incident against the Delhi Capitals, and for showing his dissent, he’s been punished by the BCCI.
Badoni, LSG’s only shining light?
Ayush Badoni’s performance might be the only good thing to happen for LSG against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 24-year-old was their highest run-scorer and lone half-centurion in a match where their batters and bowlers both failed. Nicholas Pooran might have ended up with a slightly better strike rate, but it was Badoni who gave Pooran time to settle as he continued to chip away and got them to 166.