Punjab Kings (PBKS) didn’t miss the chance to reference the 2023 World Cup final after their clash with SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 19. Travis Head, who played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumph in that final with a stunning 137-run knock against India, faced a starkly different fate in the IPL 2024 encounter.
Arshdeep Singh, representing PBKS, caught the South Australian off-guard, dismissing him for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings. This unexpected turn of events prompted PBKS’s official social media handles to draw parallels with Head’s memorable World Cup innings.
Despite Head’s early departure, PBKS’s innings started strong, courtesy of a dynamic opening partnership between Atharva Taide and Prabhsimran Singh, which amassed 97 runs in just 9.1 overs. Rilee Rossouw’s explosive 49 off 23 balls and Jitesh Sharma’s late onslaught added impetus to PBKS’s innings, setting a challenging target of 214 for SRH.
However, SRH showcased resilience in their chase, led by Rahul Tripathi and Abhishek Sharma, who launched a counter-attack against PBKS’s bowlers.
Tripathi’s brisk 33 and Sharma’s blazing 66 off 28 balls swung the momentum in SRH’s favor. Nitish Reddy’s aggressive 37 off 25 balls further bolstered the chase, with Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, and Shahbaz Ahmed guiding SRH to a comfortable victory with four wickets to spare.
This win not only solidified SRH’s position in the IPL 2024 playoffs but also positioned them favorably for a top-two finish in the points table. Alongside SRH, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders secured their spots in the playoffs, promising exciting clashes in the upcoming stages of the tournament.
