Cricket

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.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over Rajasthan Royals (RR) youngster Riyan Parag's reckless dismissal in the crucial IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Parag's dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as SRH went on to win by 36 runs and advance to the final.Chasing 176, RR struggled to score boundaries, and Parag's dismissal in the 13th over was a major setback. Parag scored just six runs off 10 balls before being dismissed by SRH's impact substitute Shahbaz Ahmed.Gavaskar, who was on commentary duties, was critical of Parag's approach, saying, "Seriously, seriously? What's the use of all the talent if you are not going to think? What kind of shot is that, seriously? So much talent. If you don't have the temperament, it won't work. So what if you had a few dot balls? You can still make up for it."Parag's dismissal sparked an RR collapse, as SRH took three wickets in the space of 15 balls. RR could not recover from the setbacks and eventually lost by a significant margin.Shahbaz was the star of the show for SRH, scoring 18 runs and taking 3-23. He was named player of the match, and SRH skipper Pat Cummins credited coach Daniel Vettori for the decision to bring Ahmed in as an impact substitute.Earlier, Sunrisers, who had racked up record IPL totals of 277 and 287 this season, lacked firepower in their batting until Heinrich Klaasen boosted the score with his fourth fifty of the season.Rajasthan's Trent Boult made early inroads, but Avesh Khan's two wickets in two balls put Hyderabad in a difficult position. However, Klaasen's 50 off 34 balls helped SRH reach a respectable total of 175/6.

Shimron Hetmyer Fined for Code of Conduct Breach in IPL Qualifier 2Rajasthan Royals batsman Shimron Hetmyer has been fined 10% of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during Qualifier 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The incident occurred in Chennai on Friday, where SRH emerged victorious by 36 runs.Hetmyer's offense was not explicitly stated by the organizers, but it is believed to stem from his reaction after being dismissed in the 14th over of the chase. Following his dismissal by Abhishek Sharma, Hetmyer attempted to smash the stumps in frustration.The IPL issued a statement confirming the fine: "Shimron Hetmyer of the Rajasthan Royals has been fined 10% of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the Qualifier 2 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on May 24.""Hetmyer committed a Level 1 offense under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offense and accepted the Match Referee's sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding."In the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a competitive total of 175 for nine, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's 34-ball 50 and contributions from Travis Head (34) and Rahul Tripathi (37). The Rajasthan Royals' chase was derailed by the SRH spinners, with Shahbaz Ahmed (3/23) and Abhishek Sharma (2/24) sharing five wickets. Pat Cummins (1/30) and T Natarajan (1/13) also chipped in with wickets.Hetmyer's fine serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining composure and adhering to the IPL's Code of Conduct. As the tournament progresses, players must remain mindful of their actions and avoid any behavior that could result in disciplinary action.

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.

Abhishek Sharma, the young all-rounder from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has emerged as a crucial player for his team in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. Despite primarily being known for his explosive batting, Sharma's bowling skills have proven to be equally valuable, as evidenced by his match-winning spell in the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.Throughout the season, Sharma had only bowled three overs in 14 matches. However, in the crucial Qualifier 2, he was called upon to deliver and he did not disappoint. His left-arm spin proved to be a potent weapon, as he dismissed Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer, two of their key batsmen.Sharma's bowling spell of 2 for 24 played a pivotal role in restricting Rajasthan Royals to 139 for 7, well below SRH's total of 175 for 9. His performance earned him praise from former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody, who described him as a "serious package" for the future of Indian cricket.Moody highlighted Sharma's unique combination of batting and bowling abilities, comparing him to Australia's off-spin legend Nathan Lyon. He noted that Sharma's ability to toss the ball up and generate overspin gives his deliveries a dipping trajectory, making them difficult to read for batsmen.Sharma's bowling performance in Qualifier 2 was a testament to his hard work and dedication. Despite not being a regular bowler in domestic cricket, he has been diligently working on his bowling skills with his father.With his impressive all-round performance, Sharma has established himself as a valuable asset for SRH and a potential star for the Indian cricket team in the future. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a versatile player who can adapt to different situations and play a key role in his team's success.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's remarkable turnaround under Pat Cummins culminated in a thrilling 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The triumph propelled SRH to the final, a stark contrast to their dismal performance in the previous season.Cummins, acquired for a staggering Rs 20.50 crore, orchestrated a sensational revival for the franchise. He attributed the team's success to the positive atmosphere within the squad and their unwavering determination to reach the final.SRH's batting lineup, led by Heinrich Klaasen's brisk 50, posted a competitive total of 175 for nine. Travis Head and Rahul Tripathi also made valuable contributions.The spin contingent then took center stage, with Shahbaz Ahmed claiming three wickets and Abhishek Sharma chipping in with two. Their efforts restricted RR to a modest 139 for 7, with Cummins and T Natarajan also securing wickets.Cummins praised the bowling performance, particularly Abhishek's surprise inclusion. He acknowledged that the team's strength lay in their batting but emphasized the experience of their bowlers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Natarajan, and Unadkat.Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson expressed disappointment that his batters struggled against the spinners. He admitted that the team lacked options in the middle overs and that the wicket behaved differently in the second innings, favoring the spinners.Samson also highlighted the need for his batters to adapt their approach against left-arm spin, suggesting they could have employed more reverse-sweeps or used the crease more effectively.Despite the defeat, Samson praised the young players in his side, including Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, who have shown great potential for both RR and the Indian cricket team.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former cricketer and commentator, has praised Abhishek Sharma's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Sidhu believes that Sharma has the potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.In Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2024, Sharma played a crucial role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's victory over Rajasthan Royals. The left-arm spin all-rounder took two wickets for 24 runs in four overs, helping to restrict Rajasthan to 164/7.Sharma's performance was particularly impressive considering that he had only bowled three overs in the entire tournament prior to the match. However, he showed remarkable control and accuracy, generating significant dip and turn with his deliveries.Sidhu was full of praise for Sharma after the match. "Yeh baccha taiyaar hai," he said on Star Sports. "He has the temperament to play in international cricket and he feels he belongs to the area. He is ready to make India proud."Sharma's performance in the IPL has been a breakout season for the 22-year-old. He has scored three fifties and amassed 482 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 207.76. He has also taken seven wickets with his left-arm spin.Sharma's all-round ability has made him a valuable asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has been used as a floater in the batting order, and his ability to bowl both spin and medium pace gives the team flexibility.If Sharma continues to perform at this level, he could soon be in contention for a place in the Indian team. He has the potential to be a valuable all-rounder for India in all three formats of the game.

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.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stormed into the final of IPL 2024 with a commanding 36-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) on the back of a remarkable bowling performance.Despite winning the toss and opting to chase, RR found themselves in a precarious position as SRH's bowlers turned the match on its head. The pitch, which initially appeared favorable for batting, transformed into a spinner's paradise, allowing SRH to exploit the conditions to their advantage.Shahbaz Ahmed, who was brought in as an Impact Player, played a pivotal role in SRH's resurgence. Bowling into the left-hander's hitting arc, he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had raced to 41 off 19 balls. This dismissal sparked a collapse in the RR batting lineup.Abhishek Sharma, who had rarely bowled this season, was also brought into the attack and delivered with two crucial wickets. Aiden Markram, known primarily as a batter, also chipped in with an over, highlighting the versatility of SRH's bowling unit.Over a 33-ball period, SRH bowlers conceded no boundaries and claimed four wickets, effectively snuffing out RR's chase. Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the star performer, finishing with impressive figures of 4-0-23-3.Heinrich Klaasen top-scored for SRH with a gritty 50, while Avesh Khan and Trent Boult were the pick of the RR bowlers with three wickets each.SRH's victory was a testament to their adaptability and the effectiveness of their bowling attack. They have now earned the right to face the winner of the other semi-final between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final.