Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their dominant run in IPL 2024 with a convincing 67-run victory over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday. Chasing a mammoth 267-run target, Delhi Capitals fell short despite a valiant effort from Jake Fraser-McGurk, who smashed the fastest fifty of the season.
Hyderabad Batters Set The Tone
Opting to bowl first, Delhi Capitals got off to a nightmare start as Hyderabad openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma tore into their bowling attack. Head, in particular, was on fire, reaching his fifty in just 16 balls, equalling the record for the fastest fifty of the season set by Abhishek Sharma earlier. The duo stitched together a 125-run opening partnership, the highest by any team in the Powerplay overs in T20 history.
Head Goes Big, Shahbaz Ahmed Finishes Strong
While Sharma fell short of his fifty, Head continued his onslaught, scoring a brilliant 89 runs off just 32 balls. Wickets fell at regular intervals after the Powerplay, with Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen failing to capitalize on the strong start. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Ahmed, in particular, impressed with a well-composed 59 not out, his maiden IPL fifty, propelling Hyderabad to a daunting total of 266 runs.
Axar Patel Most Economical For Delhi
Despite the onslaught, Axar Patel emerged as the most economical bowler for Delhi, conceding just 29 runs in his four overs. Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with four wickets, but his spell proved expensive.
Early Wickets Set Delhi Back
Chasing a stiff target, Delhi Capitals needed a solid start. However, their hopes were dented early as they lost both openers, Prithvi Shaw and David Warner, cheaply. Jake Fraser-McGurk then provided a glimmer of hope with a breath-taking innings. The youngster smashed the fastest fifty of the season in just 15 balls, keeping Delhi in the hunt.
Abhishek Porel Keeps Up The Momentum
Abhishek Porel continued the momentum after Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal, ensuring Delhi didn’t lose momentum. However, once Porel departed, the Delhi innings lost steam. Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs struggled to find boundaries, and the required run rate climbed steadily.
Natarajan Stars With Four-Wicket Haul
Hyderabad bowlers tightened the screws in the middle overs, with Mayank Markande providing the breakthrough of both dangerous-looking batters – Fraser-McGurk and Porel. Pat Cummins and T Natarajan bowled in tandem, drying up boundaries and putting pressure on the Delhi batsmen. Natarajan, in particular, was unplayable, finishing with his career-best figures in T20 cricket – 4 wickets for 19 runs in his four overs, including a maiden.
Clinical Display Sees Hyderabad Move Up The Table
With Nitish Kumar Reddy chipping in with a wicket, Hyderabad wrapped up the Delhi innings for 199 runs, securing a convincing 67-run victory. This win sees them climb to the second spot in the IPL Points Table, showcasing their title credentials.
Head Bags Player of the Match Award
Travis Head, who laid the foundation for Hyderabad’s victory with his blistering knock, was deservedly adjudged the Player of the Match. He expressed his delight at the team’s performance and credited his opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma for setting the tone.
Capitals Look to Bounce Back
While Delhi Capitals suffered a setback, they will look to learn from their mistakes and bounce back stronger in their next encounter. The upcoming matches promise to be exciting as the IPL 2024 season unfolds.
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