Aakash Chopra highlighted the SunRisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) economical bowling. And Pat Cummins’ skillful captaincy restricted Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This happened in the final overs of their innings. The match was an IPL 2024 clash in Hyderabad on Friday, April 5.
SRH limited CSK to 165/5 after requesting them to bat first. The home team subsequently knocked down the goal with six wickets and 11 deliveries to spare, earning their second victory of the competition.
In a video posted to his YouTube page, Aakash Chopra lauded SRH’s tight bowling and Cummins’ leadership.
“Pat Cummins’ captaincy was good. He didn’t let them see spin at all after 10 overs. They did a lot of bowling by rotating their fingers over the ball. Everyone, including him, did that, and everybody was economical.”
“Ultimately, in the last 5-7 overs, it seemed like the Chennai Express’ wheels had got stuck. They went crawling until the 20-over mark, whether it was Ravindra Jadeja or Daryl Mitchell. Moeen Ali didn’t get to bat and Mahi (MS Dhoni) came for just two or three balls. It just did not get going.”
Aakash Chopra
After 13.3 overs, CSK appeared to be on track for a 180-plus total with a score of 119/2. However, after Pat Cummins removed the explosive Shivam Dube (45 off 24), the visitors scored just 46 runs off the last 38 balls of their innings.
Aakash Chopra Praises Abhishek Sharma’s Breakthrough Season with SRH
Reflecting on SRH’s pursuit, Aakash Chopra selected Abhishek Sharma as their first star performer.
“Abhishek Sharma, eventually Player of the Match as well, how well he is batting – a strike rate of 308. He is doing clean hitting. We have been saying from the start that this could be the breakthrough season for this batter and he is consistently showing that by doing it.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator also hailed Aiden Markram for his well-planned innings.
“Abhishek Sharma batted beautifully and Aiden Markram started from where he left. The thing I liked about his batting is that he was giving himself room and trying to hit on the off-side. He came with a plan and absolutely stuck with it till the end. He exposed Chennai’s bowling a little.”
Aakash Chopra
Abhishek scored three fours and four sixes in his swashbuckling knock. Aiden Markram, who replaced him at the crease, had a more consistent innings, hitting four fours and a six in 36 balls.