Twitter Reactions: SRH beat RCB to stay and keep other teams alive in playoffs race

With this victory of Sunrisers Hyderabad, the scenarios have become more intriguing.

By Pratyay Tiwari

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5 Min Read

Rashid Khan
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Rashid Khan. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

Despite being in the last four days of the league, there is still only one team – Mumbai Indians – that has qualified for the next stage. The 52nd clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL) pitted up two potential playoff contenders Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against each other. While David Warner’s men had some spectacular winning momentum behind them courtesy of an 88-run victory over Delhi Capitals, the Bold Army, after having lost their cushion of comfort, had a threat of losing their third game in the row.

Making only a single change – Abhishek Sharma was included at the expense of Vijay Shankar, SRH opted to field upon winning the toss, and had one thing less to worry about as their keeper Wriddhiman Saha was fit. Their front-runner Sandeep Sharma disturbed the in-form Devdutt Padikkal’s furniture, who was bamboozled while playing the ball away from the body, only to watch it swing in and take his stumps.

RCB’s underwhelming total

In no time, Sharma struck again, dismissing Virat Kohli, who was lured into a drive and saw the fielder at short cover doing the rest. With their scoring rate going nowhere, RCB had their eyes on AB de Villiers, however, the star-batsman looked scratchy tonight and managed to hit only one six and a four before Shahbaz Nadeem got the better of him. The SRH bowlers completely dominated the game after the half-way mark as they completely suffocated the opponent’s middle-order in overs 11-15.

Inflicting a short collapse, SRH bagged 3 wickets in a space of 10 balls to ensure that RCB could not capitalize on the death overs either. Restricting them to an under-par 120 for 7, the Orange Army already laid a strong foundation of victory.

SRH’s gallops 

RCB must have taken some hope when they struck early, with Washington Sundar dismissing the dangerous David Warner while he was looking to pull the spinner, although managed only an edge straight to mid-on. Hammering the RCB bowlers despite the early jolt, Manish Pandey and Wriddhiman Saha slapped 58 runs in the powerplay, taking the game away from the opposition. However, in an attempt of slogging leg-spinner Chahal, Pandey top-edged the ball to Chris Morris leaving his team 60/2 after 8 overs.

The RCB bowlers managed to contain the runs for a brief while and a couple of overs later, Chahal struck again as he enticed Saha out of his crease, and ABD entrapped him in tandem from behind. With another quick wicket following in the form of Kane Williamson, RCB appeared to make a very improbable comeback.

Although chasing only 6 an over, the required rate was never a concern for the team. Out came Jason Holder, who looked in a hurry during his 10-ball 26 run knock, which included four and three maximums. Upping the ante to probably ensure a net run rate boosting victory, Holder got his team across the line in just 14.1 overs.

With this victory, the scenarios have become more intriguing. RCB’s fear of making a hat-trick of losses has come true, whereas Delhi’s humiliating loss against Mumbai earlier in the day has put both RCB and DC in a tricky situation.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

 

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IPL 2024Sunrisers HyderabadRoyal Challengers Bengaluru