IPL 2024 PBKS vs SRH: Sunrisers overcome final over scare, secure third win of the season

In the 23rd match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by two runs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.

PBKS won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. The unit got off to a horrible start as they lost three wickets in the powerplay. The likes of Travis Head (21), and Abhishek Sharma (16) gave a decent start but failed to continue it beyond the first six overs. It was Nitish Reddy (64), who rescued SRH from the horrid start. The batter began slowly but steadily built his knock, which included four fours and five sixes. Alongside him, Abdul Samad (25) also provided a handy knock, scoring 50+ runs together for the sixth wicket partnership. Shahbaz Ahmed also hit quite a few boundaries towards the end, which helped the side finish over 180. 

In the chase, Shikhar Dhawan (16) got a few runs at the start but couldn’t bat long. After strings of wickets, it was Sam Curran (29) and Sikandar Raza (28) who forwarded the scorecard, which was later boosted by Shashank Singh (46) and Ashutosh Sharma (33). Both batters added 66 runs together, of which 36 were scored in the final two overs. With 29 runs to get in the final over, the unit managed to score 26, finishing with 180 onboard. 

Defending 182, the bowlers did a good job in the powerplay, as they only conceded 27 runs and took three wickets as well. Overall, the contest saw one wicket each picked up by Pat Cummins, T Natarajan, Nitish Reddy, and Jaydev Unadkat. Alongside them, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also grabbed two wickets and had an economy rate of just eight. 

While bowling in the first over, Arshdeep Singh showcased his best as he plucked four wickets. Harshal Patel and Sam Curran also picked two wickets each and with them, Kagiso Rabada grabbed one wicket as well. 

With this win, SRH have won their third game of the season and are now fifth in the points tally. 

Scorecard:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 182/9, Overs 20, Nitish Reddy 64, Arshdeep Singh 4/29

Punjab Kings: 180/6, Overs 20, Shashank Singh 46, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/32