Sunrisers Hyderabad set a target of 176 runs, posting a score of 175-9, and effectively restricted Rajasthan Royals to 139-7, setting the stage for a rematch against Kolkata Knight Riders, who defeated them in the first qualifier on Tuesday.
Although the 2016 champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad, struggled to accelerate in the final overs, they managed to achieve a competitive total at Chepauk.
Trent Boult’s three-wicket burst initially rattled Sunrisers Hyderabad, but Travis Head (34) and Rahul Tripathi (37) stabilized the innings. Despite Heinrich Klaasen’s brisk 50 down the order, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s anticipated late surge never materialized.
Rajasthan Royals’s Yashasvi Jaiswal (42) led a robust response, but their top order failed to capitalize on it. Dhruv Jurel‘s impressive 56 off 35 balls wasn’t enough as he lacked support from the other end.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s tidy bowling, spearheaded by spinner Shahbaz Ahmed (3-23) and all-rounder Abhishek Sharma (2-24), played a crucial role in their victory.
After Rajasthan Royals lost the match, skipper Sanju Samson rued that his batters couldn’t find a way to tackle the spinners.
“It was a big game. I am really proud of the way we bowled in the first innings. We were found short of options in the middle overs against their spin, that’s where we lost the game,” he said.
“It’s very hard to guess actually when we are expecting some dew or when we are not. The wicket started behaving differently in the second innings, the ball started turning a bit, they used that advantage really well.
“They bowled their spin in the middle overs against our right-handed batsmen, that’s where they were one-up against us.”
Samson said the batters could have tried something different to upset the spinners.
“Against their left-arm spin, when the ball was stopping, we could have tried a bit more reverse-sweep or maybe use of the crease a bit more. They also bowled really well.”
On Sandeep Sharma, who bowled beautifully on the slow track in the middle overs, Samson said: “I am really happy for him. From not being picked in the auctions and coming back as a replacement, the way he bowled, he has definitely delivered.
“If we look at the numbers, Sandeep Sharma in the last two years, he will be the next guy after Bumrah. He has done a great job.”
He also lavished praise on the young players of his side.
“We have had some brilliant games not only this season but from the last three years, it has been a great project for our franchise. We have found some really great talent for the country.
“Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and a lot of them are looking really exciting not only for RR but definitely for the Indian cricket team. We have had some great seasons from the last three years.”
