Yesterday night, the Heavens opened and poured runs and runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The arena was swept under this massive deluge and so were the records. The bat dominated the ball like never seen before. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, took the MI bowlers to the cleaners as they batted first on an unbelievably placid track, while MI responded in equal measure, just to fall short at the end.
A Day For Statisticians
Let us look at some of the dumbfounding stats first. SRH recorded the highest ever score in an IPL match with their 277 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets. A total of 523 runs were scored in the match, which was the highest ever in a T20 match, eclipsing 517 scored at Centurion in 2023 between South Africa and West Indies. There were 38 sixes hit in the match which is the highest in the history of IPL and in a Men’s T20 match ever, out scoring the 33 sixes hit in the RCB vs CSK match in 2018 and 37 in an Afghan Premier League game in Sharjah in 2018. MI with their 246/5 also recorded the highest score in a second innings in an IPL match, bettering 226/6 by RR against Punjab Kings in 2020.
SRH Decimate MI Bowlers As Bumrah Arrives Late
A 35000 strong crowd had their monies worth when the home team went about decimating MI bowlers. Hardik Pandya, strategically was found wanting once again as he delayed the introduction of Jasprit Bumrah. By the time the ace speedster arrived post the 13th over, the carnage had already happened and SRH were far ahead in the game. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma ( the player of the match ) both went their merry ways recording strike rates of 258 and 274 respectively. MI’s rookie fast bowler, Kwena Maphaka, the teenage South African went for 66 runs in his 4 overs, as SRH sped away to 81 in their first 6 overs.
It’s A Klassen Show Again
Once Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma departed, it was the Klassen show. The South African belted all and sundry and raced to 80 of just 34 balls with 4x4s and 7x6s and added 116 runs with Aiden Markram of just 55 balls. The strokeplay was incredible to say the least, showcasing both finesse and power. Heinrich Klassen ( as he had shown in the previous match ) was in full control of his powers and proved yet again his value in the SRH squad. There was not a lull moment in the proceedings as SRH amassed an astronomical 277 in their 20 overs.
MI Respond Bravely…But
Mumbai Indians came out with all guns blazing with Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma. They matched SRH stroke for stroke and once Ishan and Rohit departed Tilak Verma and Naman Dhir pushed the momentum further. Tilak Verma in particular was brilliant as he scored a good 64 of 34 balls with 6x6s. Against all odds, the young duo got MI within striking distance, but once they departed, the enormous target became too over-bearing. Tim David made a late surge with a flurry of boundaries, but it was not to be, too much history had already been created.
Pat Cummins Shows The Way
SRH bowlers too need to be appreciated for bowling smartly at the end of the MI innings, led extremely well by Pat Cummins whose last two overs were miserly. His figures of 2/35 in 4 overs were the best in the match. The ploy of bowling slow off cutters into the pitch slightly away from the batter, eventually paid dividends for SRH. The orange army held their nerve too and responded well when the going got challenging.
MI with 2 losses from 2 games have again started slowly and the way their bowling was treated, it would not be easy for the bowlers to pick themselves up for the next match. The news of their mauling would have already spread.
Not good to be a bowler these days.
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Featured Image : Pat Cummins gets it right for SRH
A very interesting and lively post from Riz Khan on a classic match between MI and SRH.
The match will long be remembered for its batting shows and the records created in it.
Thank you. Really appreciate