The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium was electric last night! Every ball in the final over felt like an eternity as the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Opting to bat first, SRH posted a competitive 201 runs on the board and built solid contributions from their openers Abhishek Sharma (54) and Kane Williamson (58). The middle order chipped in with valuable 20s and 30s, ensuring a strong platform for the bowlers to defend.
In reply, RR looked well on course for a comfortable victory for a major part of their innings, Jos Buttler(72) and Sanju Samson (65) played some breathtaking shots, keeping the required run rate in check. However, the dismissal of both set batsmen in quick succession by Bhuvneshwar Kumar 93/25) triggered a mini-collapse in the RR battle line-up
With the match hanging in the balance, a double-wicket over by the young pacer Umran Malik (2/31) in the 18th over proved to be a defining moment. He dismissed the dangerous-looking David Miller (28) and the in-form Riyan Parag (32) in quick succession, putting the brakes on RR’s chase and swinging the momentum towards SRH.
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Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, RR’s Rahul Tripathi (42) played a valuable knock, keeping his side alive with some favorable blows towards the end. Needing just 7 runs off the final over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the tension was palpable. Tripathi managed a single off the first ball, leaving him with the improbable task of hitting a size for victory. Unfortunately, he could only manage a flick towards deep square leg on the next delivery, handing SRH a dramatic one-run victory.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience and control proved to be decisive for SRH. his three crucial wickets, including those of Buttler and Samson, during a tight spell in the middle overs, dented RR’s batting momentum and shifted the balance of the match. His calm and composed bowling in the final over, especially with the scores level, further solidified his performance and earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match award.
With the IPL season reaching its crucial phase, every match holds immense significance, and this thrilling victory will provide a massive boost for SRH’s playoff hopes.
