Cricket

Rajasthan Royals' hopes of capturing their second Indian Premier League (IPL) title were dashed after a heartbreaking 36-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 match on Friday.Batting first, SRH posted a competitive total of 175/9, with Heinrich Klaasen leading the charge with a half-century. The Royals' chase was derailed by the spin duo of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, who combined for five wickets to restrict RR to 139/7.RR's elimination marked a disappointing end to a season that began with high expectations. The team had dominated the first half of the tournament, winning nine of their first ten matches. However, a string of four consecutive defeats in the second half of the season proved costly.Despite the setback, RR skipper Sanju Samson praised his team's performance and highlighted the emergence of young talent such as Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel."We have found some really great talent for the country," Samson said. "We have had some great seasons from the last three years."SRH's victory propelled them into the final, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday in Chennai.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson's impressive performance in IPL 2024 has been overshadowed by his disappointing dismissal in Qualifier 2. Despite leading his team to the penultimate stage of the tournament, Samson's failure to deliver in the crucial match has raised questions about his shot selection and consistency.As a batter, Samson had a stellar season, amassing 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.47. However, his inability to perform under pressure has become a recurring theme in his career. In the Qualifier 2 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, Samson fell for a mere 10 runs off 11 balls, leaving his team in a precarious position.Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has been vocal in his criticism of Samson's shot selection. Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar questioned the player's decision-making, stating, "What's the use of scoring 500 runs if you can't win your team the match or title? Everyone got out while playing glamorous shots."Gavaskar believes that Samson's poor shot selection has hindered his progress in the Indian team. "If his shot selection had been good, his India career too would have been long," he said. "I hope that the opportunity he has got in the T20 World Cup, he grabs it with both hands and cements his place."Samson has been included in the 15-member India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. However, with Rishabh Pant likely to be India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, Samson's chances of playing in the tournament are limited.Samson's dismissal in Qualifier 2 has served as a reminder of the importance of consistency and composure in high-pressure situations. While he has shown glimpses of brilliance, his inability to deliver in crucial matches has raised concerns about his suitability for the Indian team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have opted to cancel their practice session ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. The decision was made to prioritize player fitness amidst the scorching temperatures and humidity in Chennai.SRH secured their place in the summit clash after defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday. The team opted for a rest day to recover from their previous match. In contrast, KKR, who defeated SRH in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, have had a longer break and held a practice session on Friday. They are expected to have another net session on Saturday evening.KKR's lack of match practice could be a concern, as their last two league matches against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals were abandoned due to rain. However, SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's batting strength and the experience of his bowlers.Cummins praised the team's performance in Qualifier 2, highlighting the contributions of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma. He also acknowledged the role of left-arm orthodox bowlers in the team's success."The boys have been fantastic all season. There's a great vibe in the squad... We knew our strength was our batting and we wouldn't underestimate the experience we have in this squad," Cummins said.The IPL 2024 final promises to be an exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams. SRH will be looking to lift their second IPL trophy, while KKR will be aiming for their third title.

Rajasthan Royals' season ended in disappointment as they fell short of reaching the IPL final, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2. Despite the setback, team director Kumar Sangakkara hailed the campaign as a "great season."Rajasthan's early dominance in the tournament, winning eight of their first nine matches, was a testament to their strong performance. However, a late-season slump, including four losses in their last five games, ultimately cost them a place in the final.Sangakkara attributed the Qualifier 2 loss to a "little bit of panic" during the chase, which saw Rajasthan collapse from a promising start. Trent Boult's early breakthroughs had given them a strong foundation, but they failed to build partnerships and lost wickets in clusters.The absence of star opener Jos Buttler, who returned home for England's T20 World Cup preparations, was a significant blow. Buttler's two centuries and key role in chases had been crucial to Rajasthan's success.Despite the setback, Sangakkara remained positive about the team's overall performance. "All the guys, throughout the season played really phenomenal cricket," he said. "We always say that the best ability is availability and unfortunately we lost Jos. He is a big loss without a doubt."Sangakkara emphasized that reaching the play-offs and being in contention for the finals was a significant achievement. "All we can do is put ourselves in positions of play-offs and vying for finals, which we did," he said.Rajasthan's campaign may have ended in disappointment, but they can take pride in a strong season that showcased their potential. With a talented squad and a positive mindset, they will aim to build on this experience and challenge for the title in the future.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has hailed pacer Sandeep Sharma as the "next guy" after Jasprit Bumrah, following his standout performance in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024. Despite the Royals' heartbreaking 36-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sandeep's precise swinging deliveries shone through on a night dominated by spinners.The 31-year-old speedster delivered an impressive spell, capturing the wickets of SRH's power-hitting duo, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, finishing with figures of 2/25 in his four-over spell. Samson, who has closely followed Sandeep's progress throughout the season, praised him as a consistent performer who deserves recognition at the national level."I am happy for him. By not being picked in the auctions and coming back as a replacement, the way he bowled, he has 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," Samson remarked post-match.Sandeep's journey this season has been noteworthy. After going unsold in the previous IPL auction, he was signed by the Royals as a replacement for Prasidh Krishna. From that moment, he emerged as a crucial figure in Rajasthan's pace bowling setup. Sandeep ended the season with 13 wickets in 11 matches, maintaining an economy of 8.18 and a strike rate of 17.54.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, during his commentary, urged the BCCI selectors to consider Sandeep for the national team. He highlighted the often-overlooked consistency of the pacer's performances, despite the focus on express fast bowlers. "Whenever someone bowls over 140kmph, we begin salivating, but no one talks about him as an India prospect. Look at the slower bowls, it shows cleverness," Gavaskar noted.Sandeep's performance in Qualifier 2 further cemented his status as a reliable and effective bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and control the pace makes him a valuable asset to any team. With the IPL season now concluded, Sandeep will hope to continue his impressive form and earn a call-up to the Indian national team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Kavya Maran Celebrates Team's Triumphant Journey to IPL 2024 FinalSunrisers Hyderabad co-owner Kavya Maran has emerged as a beacon of support for her team throughout the IPL 2024 season. Her unwavering enthusiasm and passionate displays of emotion have captivated fans on social media.Maran's joy reached its peak when SRH secured a berth in the final with a thrilling 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Her jubilant celebrations reflected the culmination of her unwavering belief in the team.SRH's journey to the final has been a testament to their resilience and determination. After a disappointing start to the season, the team rallied under the leadership of captain Kane Williamson and the guidance of head coach Tom Moody.In the Qualifier 2 match, SRH posted a competitive total of 175-9, thanks to contributions from Travis Head, Rahul Tripathi, and Heinrich Klaasen. Rajasthan Royals' top order struggled to capitalize on Yashasvi Jaiswal's early fireworks, and the Hyderabad bowlers, led by Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma, kept the pressure on.Maran's presence on the sidelines has been a constant source of motivation for the SRH players. Her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering support have created a positive atmosphere within the team.As SRH prepares to face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on Sunday, Maran's unwavering belief in her team will undoubtedly be a driving force. The team will be looking to avenge their defeat to KKR in the first qualifier and claim their second IPL title.

Chennai's 'Thala-Land' Silenced as CSK's Absence Dampens IPL Qualifier 2On an ordinary IPL match day, Wallajah Road, the bustling thoroughfare leading to the MA Chidambaram Stadium, would be a vibrant tapestry of activity. But on Friday, as Qualifier 2 between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad unfolded, an eerie quietness hung in the air.The road, usually teeming with sports merchandise vendors, was deserted. Unsold yellow jerseys, a poignant reminder of the impact of Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) absence, lay in piles outside shuttered shops. Street vendors struggled to sell counterfeit jerseys, their usual brisk trade replaced by a disheartening silence.The absence of CSK, the city's beloved team, cast a pall over the atmosphere. The buzz that typically permeated the area from 4 pm onwards on match days was conspicuously absent. A few scattered Orange and pink jerseys made their way towards the Chepauk gates, but the electric atmosphere that characterized CSK games was nowhere to be found."I'm a regular at CSK matches," lamented Arun Pradeep, a devoted fan. "I had three tickets, but couldn't find anyone to take them. We decided to support good cricket instead."The biggest losers were the counterfeit jersey sellers, who typically made a killing on CSK match days. On this day, they struggled to sell a handful of Pat Cummins and Sanju Samson shirts.Despite the absence of CSK, the stadium filled to a capacity of 29,255. But the soul of the event was missing. The day served as a stark reminder of the immense value that MS Dhoni and CSK bring to the IPL landscape.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 2 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on May 24. The winner of this match will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final in Chennai on May 26.Samson explained his decision, stating that the team was recovering from a recent illness and felt better. He also confirmed that the Royals would field the same XI that played in their previous match.Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that his team had underperformed in their last match. He announced two changes to the lineup, with Jaydev Unadkat and Aiden Markram replacing Shreyas Gopal and Romario Shepherd.The Royals' batting lineup features Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Their impact players include Simron Hetmyer, Nandre Burger, Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, and Kuldeep Sen.The Sunrisers' batting lineup includes Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, and T Natarajan. Their impact players are Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Markande, Glenn Phillips, Sanvir Singh, and Umran Malik.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a strong chance of reaching the final. The Royals have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, while the Sunrisers have shown resilience in bouncing back from setbacks.

IPL 2024: Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma Face Spin Challenge in Qualifier 2In a highly anticipated Qualifier 2 clash, Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals on Friday, with the IPL's top power-hitters, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, set to encounter a formidable spin challenge from Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin.Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing the conditions at the Chepauk stadium. The pitch is expected to be sticky, posing a different challenge for the Hyderabad batsmen.Head and Sharma, known as "Travishek," have been in scintillating form this season, amassing 72 sixes and 96 boundaries between them. However, they will need to adapt their power-hitting against the wily spin of Chahal and Ashwin.Hyderabad have made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Aiden Markram and Jaydev Unadkat for Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Shahbaz Ahmed. Rajasthan remains unchanged.Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's batting despite their below-par performance in the previous game. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening their bowling with the inclusion of Unadkat.Samson, on the other hand, acknowledged that his team is still recovering from a recent illness but believes they can cross the line despite playing at 70% of their potential.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. Hyderabad's power-hitting duo will be tested by Rajasthan's spin twins, while the Royals will need to contain the dangerous Hyderabad batting lineup.