Bhuvneshwar Kumar Swinging Spell Seals Thrilling Victory for Hyderabad
In a nail-biting encounter on May 2nd, 2024, Hyderabad pulled off a remarkable win against the top-ranked Rajasthan in the 50th league match of the IPL 2024 T20 cricket series. The one-run victory not only marked Hyderabad sixth win but also propelled them to the 4th position on the points table.
Setting a challenging target of 202 runs batting first, Hyderabad owed their formidable total to stellar performances from Travis Head (58), Nitish Reddy (76), and Heinrich Klaasen (42). However, the chase wasn’t going to be easy for Rajasthan, who saw their openers, Butler and Samson, depart without troubling the scorers.
Yet, Rian Barak resilient 77 and Jaiswal steady 67 kept Rajasthan in the game. But when Dhruv Jurel (1), Hetmyer (13), and Rovman Powell (27) fell in quick succession, it seemed victory might elude Rajasthan.
The defining moment of the match came in the last over when Rajasthan needed just two runs to win. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the seasoned campaigner, came to Hyderabad rescue with his swinging spell.
Kumar, who was awarded the Man of the Match for his exceptional performance, expressed his delight, saying, “It is my nature to be calm. Process is important. So I went to bowl the last over without thinking anything about the result.”
Reflecting on the crucial last over, Kumar said, “When the last two balls were left, I thought anything can happen. I didn’t think about stopping the extra fielder. This is the first match this year with more swing.”
He further added, “Couldn’t say exactly where it swung. However, you can try to take wickets when swing is available. Luckily I got it.”
Kumar composure under pressure and his ability to swing the ball proved to be the difference-maker for Hyderabad. Despite the tense situation, Kumar revealed that he didn’t seek advice from anyone, stating, “I just focused on the process.”
The 31-year-old pacer also mentioned that this was the first time in the tournament this year that the ball swung well. His crucial wicket of Rovman Powell, when Rajasthan needed just two runs off the last ball, played a vital role in Hyderabad thrilling victory.
Reflecting on his strategy, Kumar said, “Usually, when we bowl, we try to restrict the opposition to 200 runs.”
With this win, Hyderabad has not only boosted their position on the points table but also displayed their ability to hold their nerve in crunch situations. Bhuvneshwar Kumar performance will undoubtedly bolster Hyderabad confidence as they look forward to their upcoming matches in the IPL 2024.
