A season of transformation—SRH abandoned their traditional approach, embraced an aggressive mindset, and delivered one of the most entertaining IPL campaigns ever
The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) was a rollercoaster ride, and at the heart of the madness was Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, they threw caution to the wind, rewriting history with fearless cricket. Though they fell short in the final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), SRH's campaign was one for the ages. From breathtaking batting to crucial bowling spells, the Orange Army ensured no one blinked while on the field.
SRH's IPL 2024 journey was like a book with KKR on both the first and last page. The season started with a defeat against the eventual champions, and despite an impressive comeback throughout the tournament, it ended in heartbreak against the same opponent in the final.
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But in between those two losses, SRH played cricket at a level never seen before. They won nine of their 17 matches, with one game washed out due to rain. They didn't just win games; they dominated, outgunning opponents with a batting approach that looked straight out of a video game.
If there was one thing that defined SRH's season, it was their fearless opening duo—Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. They weren't just scoring runs but setting the field on fire.
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Head, with 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55, was SRH's highest run-getter. His aggression at the top made life miserable for bowlers. But the true revelation was Abhishek Sharma. Scoring 484 runs at a mind-blowing strike rate of 204.22, he took the concept of attacking cricket to another level.
Together, they smashed 691 runs as an opening pair at a run rate of 13.46 per over—numbers that looked unbelievable even for a T20 game. In one match, they chased 166 runs in just 9.4 overs, leaving everyone in disbelief.
SRH treated the powerplay as their playground. They didn't just score runs; they shattered records. Against Delhi Capitals, they posted an IPL record of 125/0 in the first six overs. A few days later, they slammed 107/0 in the powerplay against Lucknow Super Giants.
No team had ever batted this aggressively in the powerplay before. Their run rate of 11.17 in this phase was the best of the season. And they made it clear with 59 sixes inside the first six overs—they weren't here to play safe.
SRH's batting was a spectacle. They didn't stop at breaking one record; they kept rewriting the books. Three times in IPL 2024, they crossed the 250-run mark—something no team had ever done before in a single season.
They posted 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 277/3 against Mumbai Indians, and 266/7 versus Delhi Capitals. These weren't just big totals; they were statements. The Orange Army had evolved from a bowling-heavy team into a batting powerhouse.
Amidst the top-order fireworks, Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy stood strong in the middle. Klaasen, with 479 runs at a strike rate of 171.07, played the role of the aggressor even when early wickets fell.
Meanwhile, Reddy, the young gun, made a name for himself with 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92. His performances earned him the Emerging Player of the Tournament award, proving SRH's future was in safe hands.
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While SRH's batting grabbed headlines, their bowlers weren't far behind. T Natarajan led the attack with 19 wickets, including a brilliant 4/19 against Delhi Capitals—one of the best spells of the season. Captain Pat Cummins played his role with the ball, picking up 18 wickets. His leadership and ability to strike at crucial moments gave SRH a well-rounded attack. Veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat, and Shahbaz Ahmed chipped in with key contributions.
SRH's journey to the final wasn't easy. After a crushing loss to KKR in Qualifier 1, they bounced back in style, thrashing Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. But when they reached the final, KKR became their kryptonite again. It was a bittersweet ending to an unforgettable season. SRH might not have lifted the trophy, but they won the hearts of fans with their fearless cricket.
