IPL 2024 – Sporting Scroll

Sunrisers Hyderabad Stun Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, Reach to the Finals

Vishwajeet Jaiswal — Sat, 25 May 2024 07:11:32 +0000

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) 175 for 9 (Klaasen 50, Avesh 3-27, Boult 3-45) beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) 139 for 7 (Jurel 56, Shahbaz 3-23, Abhishek 2-24) by 36 runs

“There’s nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent.” Pat Cummins’ words from November 18, 2023, echoed as he claimed Virat Kohli’s wicket, silencing a stadium packed with 100,000 people. Fast forward to May 21, 2024, Cummins’ assertion, “We have earned the right to have one of those days and still win tournaments,” proved prophetic. Sunrisers Hyderabad marched into the final of IPL 2024, and they did so spectacularly with their bowling prowess.

Winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals opted to chase, a decision that initially seemed advantageous given the asymmetry of the ground – one square boundary was significantly shorter than the other (61m vs 72m). This usually makes defending totals challenging, especially if dew sets in. However, SRH managed to keep the ball and pitch dry, turning the tide in their favour.

SRH Stun RR with Spin

Shahbaz Ahmed came into the game primarily to stabilize a faltering batting innings, contributing 17 runs in a crucial partnership of 43 with Heinrich Klaasen, helping SRH post a total of 175. Initially, this total appeared insufficient when Yashasvi Jaiswal stormed to 41 off 19 balls. The match seemed to be slipping away from SRH until they noticed how much the ball was gripping the pitch during Jaydev Unadkat’s first over.

Despite not having a specialist spinner in their lineup, SRH capitalized on the conditions. Shahbaz Ahmed, who had not picked up a wicket since April 5, delivered a stunning performance with figures of 4-0-23-3. He broke Jaiswal’s momentum, marking the latter’s first dismissal to spin since IPL 2022. Pat Cummins astutely brought Abhishek Sharma, who had only bowled three overs in the entire campaign, into the attack. The pitch began to take a considerable turn, and Cummins used every resource available, including Aiden Markram, to exploit this. The result was a remarkable 33-ball period without a single boundary and the fall of four wickets, shifting the game decisively in SRH’s favour. Abhishek Sharma finished with 4-0-24-2, showcasing his adaptability and skill under pressure.

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Klaasen the Gamechanger

Heinrich Klaasen’s role as a finisher was pivotal to SRH’s success. Known for his ability to adapt and accelerate, Klaasen demonstrated his expertise by scoring 50 crucial runs. His innings began cautiously, with 21 off 20 balls by the 13th over, but he shifted gears precisely when needed. Facing the challenge of a slow Chennai pitch, Klaasen targeted his match-ups effectively, particularly against Yuzvendra Chahal, hitting two sixes, including one to the long boundary. His back-foot drive over extra cover was a highlight of the match.

Royal Pains

Despite RR’s commendable bowling effort, their batting lineup fell short. Trent Boult’s early breakthroughs and Sandeep Sharma’s 18 slower balls for just 17 runs underscored their discipline. However, the absence of key players like Jos Buttler, who had departed for the T20 World Cup, and an injured Shimron Hetmyer exposed RR’s fragile batting depth.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, stepping in for Buttler, struggled, scoring 6 off 13 before being dismissed for 10 off 16. Captain Sanju Samson, under pressure, made an error attempting to reach the long boundary, getting caught for 10 off 11. Riyan Parag faced 3.3 degrees of turn on average, misjudged his shot, and was caught for 6 off 10. Although Dhruv Jurel provided resistance with 56 off 35 balls, the momentum remained firmly with SRH.

Also Read: Take a look at the most runs in T20’s 20th over

SRH’s Versatility and Determination

SRH’s performance in this IPL has been marked by brilliance, but their ability to win using their weaker suit—spin—was truly remarkable. Their adaptability and strategic execution were on full display, making them a formidable opponent for Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming final. As SRH prepare for the grand finale, they have proven that they can rise to any challenge and turn their weaknesses into strengths. This resilience and versatility make them a serious threat and a team to watch out for in the showdown.

Australia Names Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short as T20 World Cup Reserves

Adam Jones — Tue, 21 May 2024 06:55:48 +0000

Melbourne – Australia has announced Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short as reserves for their T20 World Cup squad, which will travel to the Caribbean and USA. The final 15-man team and travelling reserves have been confirmed.

Fraser-McGurk has burst onto the scene, making a significant impact with his powerful batting. In nine games for the Delhi Capitals, he has scored four half-centuries, amassing 330 runs at a stunning strike rate of 234.04, including 32 boundaries and 28 sixes.

“You look at Jake’s form in the IPL – he took that by storm and he was a serious consideration for the final 15,” coach Andrew McDonald told cricket.com.au.

“And so was Matthew Short. His BBL form has been outstanding over a long period of time, and he’s shown glimpses at the international level as well, albeit at times he’s had to play a different role,” McDonald said.

“When you’re on the fringes, potentially you’re going to have to play different roles at different times, and he’s really embraced some middle-order opportunities. We know that he’s best suited at the top of the order – and it’s probably similar for Jake as well – hence why they haven’t been picked in the initial 15. But should anything change, we feel as though both of them could have the flexibility to line up anywhere in that batting order,” McDonald added.

Also Read: West Indies Gear Up for T20 Clash with South Africa

The absence of Fraser-McGurk from the 15-man squad, despite his impressive IPL performance, was among the biggest surprises when the 2021 T20 World Cup champions unveiled their squad for the upcoming tournament. His explosive IPL campaign nearly earned him a spot, but the strong David Warner-Travis Head-Mitch Marsh top order saw him miss out.

Cricket Australia stated that players and staff will arrive in the West Indies in stages, with those participating in the Indian Premier League given time at home before joining the group. Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell will join the team in Barbados ahead of Australia’s tournament opener against Oman on June 5.

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The Australian squad will fly to the Caribbean on Thursday for a training camp in Trinidad, which includes two practice matches against Namibia and West Indies on May 28 and 30, respectively.

Australia will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman in Barbados on June 5, followed by Group B fixtures against England, Namibia, and Scotland.

Australia Squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Travelling Reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short

Factors Behind Gujarat Titans’ Disappointing Season in IPL 2024

Adam Jones — Thu, 16 May 2024 10:57:04 +0000

Gujarat Titans had a remarkable journey to the title in 2022 and came agonizingly close to defending their crown in 2023. However, their performance this season has been disappointing. Despite dominating the group stages in the first two years, they find themselves eliminated before the final game.

Key Departures and Inconsistent Top Order

Many speculate whether their downturn can be attributed to the departure of their captain, Hardik Pandya. Additionally, the absence of Mohammed Shami and the inconsistent form of Shubman Gill have been pointed out as contributing factors to their struggles.

The impact of Gill’s form cannot be overstated. His explosive batting, highlighted by a 50-ball century against Chennai Super Kings, initially fueled hopes for a successful campaign. However, his performance took a downturn midway through the season. Despite starting with promise, Gill’s form waned, with only 67 runs in his next five innings until he broke the drought with a century.

This decline starkly contrasts with his stellar performance last year, where he amassed 890 runs and three centuries. Gill’s consistency and remarkable strokeplay, coupled with an improved six-hitting ability, made his exclusion from India’s T20 plans unthinkable.

However, this season saw a shift in fortunes for Gill, which had a ripple effect on Gujarat Titans’ top order. Their powerplay performance suffered, becoming the worst in the league with a run rate of 7.23. Furthermore, the struggles of Wriddhiman Saha, who provided a strong start last year, compounded their batting woes.

This season, Shubman Gill’s average of 15.11 is the lowest among all openers who have played at least nine innings in the powerplay. In the absence of Wriddhiman Saha for the game against CSK, Sai Sudharsan opened the innings instead of playing at No. 3.

Rising Star Sudharsan’s Powerplay Challenge

While Sudharsan has been one of the top run-scorers this season, he has faced challenges in the powerplay, particularly against pace. His strike rate of 114 in this phase was the lowest among batters with nine innings. However, Sudharsan showcased his potential in their victory over CSK, scoring 103 off 51 balls. Despite a slow start, he accelerated during the middle overs, addressing a concern for GT, who had been slow in that phase until that game.

Despite Sudharsan’s achievement of surpassing 500 runs, there will likely be discussions regarding his performance in the powerplay, an area he admitted still needs improvement.

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Issues in the Middle Order and Death Overs

Moving on to the middle-order, Hardik Pandya played a crucial role in the first two seasons, often batting at No. 4 to manage pressure and allow other batsmen like David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, and Rashid Khan to finish innings. However, in his absence, GT struggled to find the right balance.

Last season, Vijay Shankar played ten innings in the middle order for GT, scoring 301 runs. However, he struggled for form this season and lost his place in the team midway through. Shahrukh Khan, a significant auction acquisition, only joined the team when they were already facing a downturn.

Azmatullah Omarzai was brought in as an all-rounder to provide balance, but his batting impact was below expectations, managing just 42 runs in four innings.

David Miller was given a more prominent role in the middle order, but he only registered one half-century this season. His struggles, especially during the middle overs where he scored at a rate of just 123, were evident. Similarly, Rahul Tewatia also found it challenging to accelerate, striking at 77 in the middle phase.

Despite accumulating resources in the middle order, GT failed to finish strongly, ranking ninth in the death overs. This imbalance across all batting phases left their bowlers with a daunting task.

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Injuries Disrupt Momentum

Injuries also played a part in the team’s struggles. Robin Minz’s absence forced them to persist with Saha as an opener, while BR Sharath, Minz’s replacement, featured in only one game. In total, GT used 23 players, the most by any team this season.

Bowling Woes: Missing Shami’s Impact

The absence of Mohammed Shami, who was instrumental last season with his hard length and seam movement, was keenly felt. Shami’s exceptional performance in the powerplay last season, with 17 wickets at an average of 19.41 and an economy of 7.5, was unmatched. However, his prolonged recovery from an ankle injury ruled him out for this season.

Consequently, GT had to experiment with their bowling options, including deploying Mohit Sharma, typically a death-overs specialist, in the powerplay. Sandeep Warrier, Shami’s replacement, showed promise briefly, while Umesh Yadav had an inconsistent season. Spencer Johnson, one of their expensive auction signings, struggled to find swing and conceded runs.

Also Read: IPL 2024: Most sixes in IPL history

Mohit Sharma’s Decline and Rashid Khan’s Challenge

Overall, it’s likely Mohit’s decline in performance during the death overs that significantly impacted Gujarat Titans. The team, which boasted the best economy in the death overs last year, thanks largely to Mohit’s contributions, now struggled in this phase, leaking runs.

In the initial stages of the season, Mohit performed well, claiming eight wickets in his first six games at an economy rate of 9.39. His standout performances against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad played a pivotal role in Gujarat Titans’ victories. However, Mohit faced a slump in the middle of the season, highlighted by conceding 73 runs without taking a wicket in four overs against Delhi Capitals, marking the most expensive figures in the IPL. Although he bounced back with a notable performance of 3 for 31 against CSK, by then, the team’s playoff chances were virtually dashed.

Additionally, Rashid Khan, known for his wicket-taking ability, has struggled to make an impact this season, picking up only 12 wickets in ten matches so far. This could be attributed to teams adopting a more aggressive approach, particularly with the Impact Player rule allowing for greater batting depth. As a result, Rashid’s economy rate of 8.30 in the last two seasons is notably higher than his economy rate of 6.59 when the Gujarat Titans emerged victorious in 2022.

Also Read: Secret revealed: Shocking price of wickets used in IPL

A Match That Exemplified the Challenges

This season, Rashid Khan has faced significant challenges, experiencing his highest number of matches with an economy rate of ten or more in his IPL career – a total of four times. Additionally, for the first time since his IPL debut in 2017, Rashid has gone wicketless in three consecutive games. He has attributed these struggles to the lingering effects of a back surgery he underwent before the season.

Rashid explained, “It did initially in the first few games… when I was bowling my wrong’un, it wasn’t going how it should because for that I have to use my back more than for leg spin.” This uncertainty affected his confidence, especially when experiencing stiffness in his back.

Conclusion

These ongoing injury concerns have impacted Rashid’s performance on the field, which was particularly evident when Will Jacks struck him for 29 runs, including four sixes, in a single over, leading to an easy win for RCB in Ahmedabad.

IPL 2024: Most sixes in IPL history

Adam Jones — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 10:23:14 +0000

The league had a dream start when Brendon McCullum scored 158*(73) in the opening match on April 18, 2008. With this knock, the stage was set for the IPL to witness some breathtaking and destructive performances in its sixteen-year-long history.

Given that power hitting is one of the most important skills in the modern game, teams frequently plan to spend a lot of money to get batters with strong hitting abilities.

Top 5 Batters with Most Sixes in IPL History

Chris Gayle, considered one of the strongest hitters of the ball, rules the sixes chart with 357 maximums in 141 innings played in the cash-rich league. His strike rate of 148.96 is enough to prove the fear among bowlers when bowling to the T20 legend. The Jamaican batter averages 39.72 in the IPL and ended his career with 4,965 runs, including 6 centuries and 31 half-centuries.

Former Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma surpassed AB de Villiers’s tally against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 57 of IPL 2023 to occupy the second spot. He has also struck the most maximums among Indians, smashing 264 sixes and 568 fours in 242 innings. Rohit has amassed 6,329 runs at an average of 29.57 and a strike rate of 130.62.

AB de Villiers is the third name on this list with 251 sixes. The Proteas cricketer has also hit 413 fours in 170 innings and strikes at 151.68. De Villiers represented Delhi Daredevils initially but saw his most success with RCB. He scored 5,162 runs at an average of 39.70 with 3 tons and 40 fifties.

RCB’s Virat Kohli is fourth with 241 sixes in 232 innings, along with 658 fours. He has aggregated 7,444 runs at an average of 37.79, including 52 half-centuries and six centuries, making him the tournament’s highest run-getter.

Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni is fifth with 239 maximums in 218 innings, in addition to 349 fours. Dhoni averages almost 39 with a strike rate of 135.91. He has been CSK’s leader since the inaugural season, winning the trophy five times.