The Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad clashed in the IPL 2024 T20 second qualifier match, with Hyderabad emerging victorious. Despite a strong start by Rajasthan, they failed to chase down Hyderabad’s target of 175-9, finishing on 139-7. This defeat ended Rajasthan’s hopes of reaching the final, despite a strong season where they held a top two position for most of the tournament. However, their loss of form towards the end of the season saw them slip to third place in the table.
Trent Boult played a crucial role for Rajasthan, taking three early wickets to restrict Hyderabad’s scoring. However, Rajasthan’s batsmen struggled to build partnerships and lost wickets in clusters, leading to their downfall. Team director Kumar Sangakkara attributed their defeat to a combination of panic and the failure to sustain partnerships beyond the initial stages of their innings. Despite this setback, Sangakkara praised his team for a “great season” and commended their efforts throughout the tournament.
Rajasthan’s campaign was hampered by the absence of Jos Buttler, who had to return home to join the England team ahead of the T20 World Cup. Buttler’s replacement, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, failed to make a significant impact in Friday’s match, scoring only 10 runs. Sangakkara acknowledged Buttler’s absence as a significant loss for the team, highlighting the importance of having key players available in crucial matches. Despite the challenges they faced, Sangakkara expressed confidence in the team’s performance and their ability to compete at the highest level.
Despite their disappointment, Rajasthan managed to knock out Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the play-offs before falling to Hyderabad in the second qualifier. Sangakkara emphasized the need for the team to focus on building partnerships and maintaining composure in pressure situations. Looking ahead, Rajasthan will aim to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in the next season. With a talented squad and a fighting spirit, Rajasthan Royals remain a force to be reckoned with in the IPL.
