The higher one goes, the longer the fall. Sunrisers Hyderabad would definitely agree to the same, after the dominant Hyderabad side fell short just one step away from glory, as the Kolkata Knight Riders plundered them to clinch the IPL 2024 title on Sunday. But, this doesn’t take away from the spectacular season that SRH mustered, dominating teams with the bat, and redefining high-octane batting with their unrelenting performances.
IPL 2024 – Played: 14; Won: 8; Lost: 5; No Result: 1 Standing: 2nd After League Stage
High point of the Tournament
SRH batters ransacked 287 runs against a hapless Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowling attack on Monday after their 277-run effort against Mumbai Indians on March 27. Thus bettering their record for the highest-ever total in IPL and franchise league history.
The historic effort was led by Travis Head who clobbered a 39-ball 100 – the fourth fastest in IPL history; followed by Heinrich Klassen’s brutal 31-ball 67 and handy cameos from Aiden Markram (32 off 17), Abdul Samad (37 off 10) and Abhishek Sharma (34 off 22).
Yet another high point though would have been their unforgiving and utterly destructive win against -Lucknow Super Giants, when the likes of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma chased down 166 runs in just 9.4 overs to seal a 10-wicket win over a hapless LSG.
Low point of the Tournament
Following a thunderous season, where SRH struck fear down every other team through the group stages, nothing can be a bigger low than to lose it all in the final, and in the most humiliating way possible.
In a one-sided whitewash of a finale, SRH looked rudderless as their blistering batting order fell flat and victim to a venomous KKR pace attack. The entirety of the batting order couldn’t muster up the needed panache or patience to withstand the likes of Mitchell Starc, Andre Russell, and Harshit Rana, as they were bundled all out for just 113 runs, the lowest-ever total in an IPL Final.
For KKR, it was then easy pickings, as the Kolkata side blitzed through the SRH bowling attack in no time, more accurately in 10.3 overs, to seal the deal and lift their third IPL title.
Captaincy verdict
Despite the heart-breaking end to their season, much credit has to go to skipper Pat Cummins. After being brought in for a whopping price tag of Rs. 20 crores, the Aussie pacer proved his worth and a bit more, as his enigmatic leadership and his timely spells with the ball powered the Sunrisers Hyderabad to their dominant group stage campaign. But unfortunately, every man has his day, and it seemed as if KKR just had SRH’s number both times they faced off against them and got the better of the side with no hesitation.
Most Valuable Player
The two outstanding players for SRH have undoubtedly been none other than the dynamic opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek made leaps and bounds as a player this season, as he partnered up with the Aussie opener perfectly, playing aggressive cricket with intent and control, as the youngster piled on 484 runs in 16 matches in the campaign. But, the star of the show was Travis Head himself.
Despite a highly disappointing outing in the playoffs and the final particularly, Head spearheaded the batting ranks of SRH throughout the season and let it fly across all the stadiums in the nation, as he wreaked havoc with the bat, notching up 567 runs in 15 matches, at an average of 40.50.
Major disappointment
One major disappointment for SRH this past season would be Protean pacer Marco Jansen, who failed to produce even in the opportunities that were presented to him. The pacer played three matched for the Hyderabad side, and picked up just one mere wicket whilst leaking 129 runs at an economy of 12.90. Especially once T Natarajan found his footing, the partnership of Bhuvi-Nattu became the defacto pace attack and the Protean was benched for the remainder of the season.
Tournament Verdict
SRH took little time to set the tone throughout the tournament, as once the side established their supremacy with the bat, they were instantly perceived as a force to be reckoned with and a strong contender for the title. But, towards the tail end of the season and especially in the playoffs, one could witness that it would take a herculean effort to overtake an all-round KKR squad. And that is exactly what transpired as they fell at the very last step and suffered a crushing end to their otherwise illustrious season.
Statistics
Most runs: Travis Head – 567 runs in 15 matches
Most wickets: T Natarajan – 19 wickets in 14 matches
Highest individual score: Travis Head – 102* vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Best Bowling Figures: T Natarajan – 4/19 vs Delhi Capitals
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