NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson attributed their loss and subsequent exit from the IPL 2024 to Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins's strategic decision to introduce spin in the middle overs.
The Royals were outplayed by SRH at Chepauk, losing crucial wickets to spinners Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma.
Throughout the tournament, SRH had leaned heavily on their pace attack. However, Cummins's tactical shift to spin on the spinning Chepauk pitch turned the game in SRH's favor. The spin duo claimed five wickets, dismantling the Royals' batting lineup.
"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," Samson remarked post-match.
Rajasthan, having won the toss, chose to bowl first with the expectation that dew would play a role in the second innings. However, the dew never materialized, making SRH's defense of their 176-run total more manageable. The pitch's turn and grip further compounded the Royals' problems.
"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," explained Samson.
Reflecting on their approach to handling the spinners, Samson noted the need for better footwork and shot selection.
"Against their left-arm spin, when the ball was stopping, we could have tried a bit more reverse-sweep or maybe the use of the crease a bit more. They also bowled really well," he added.
With this victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad advanced to the final, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk on Sunday.
1/8:Qualifier 2: SRH down RR to set up IPL final with KKR
PTI
2/8:Sunrisers Hyderabad Victorious
<p>Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs on Friday to set up an IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders, as spinner Shahbaz Ahmed starred with three wickets.</p>PTI
3/8:Heinrich Klaasen's Heroics
Heinrich Klaasen smashed 50 off 34 balls to help Sunrisers post 175/9.AFP
4/8:Shahbaz Ahmed Shines
<p>Ahmed came in as an impact substitute in Hyderabad's batting innings to score 18 runs and then returned figures of 3-23 with his left-arm spin to flatten the opposition chase.</p>AFP
5/8:Kolkata Knight Riders Await
Kolkata, who thrashed Hyderabad in the first play-off game to reach their fourth final, will meet Pat Cummins' side again in the decider.AFP
6/8:Pat Cummins' Impact
Cummins, who cost SRH $2.5 million at the auction, remains on the cusp of another title after he led Australia to the WTC trophy and then to the ODI World Cup in India last year.AFP
7/8:Rajasthan's Chase Falters
Rajasthan faltered in their chase despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's quickfire 42 before the opener fell to Ahmed and skipper Sanju Samson soon departed for 10.PTI
8/8:Hyderabad's Victory Path
Ahmed strick twice in one over, including the in-form Riyan Parag for six, and despite Dhruv Jurel's late unbeaten 56, inaugural champions Rajasthan fell well short.AFP(With inputs from ANI)
