NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals saw their impressive run in IPL 2024 come to a disappointing end in Qualifier 2 as they succumbed to a 36-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai.
Following the match, former SRH coach Tom Moody and Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag criticized Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson's strategic decisions. Sehwag questioned the timing of Shimron Hetmyer's entry into the batting order, suggesting that he should have been sent in earlier to counter the threat of the left-arm spinners.
"I was surprised by their decision to bring in Hetmyer so late. They should have brought him earlier, especially with two left-arm spinners in play. The quicker a left-handed batter comes in, the better," Sehwag remarked.
Moody, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, echoed Sehwag's sentiments, highlighting the tactical error of sending Hetmyer at number seven, after Dhruv Jurel and R Ashwin.
"To me, it was an absolute no-brainer. Hetmyer had to go in ahead of Dhruv Jurel. They needed to negate the two left-arm spinners right at the outset. That was the weakness in SRH's attack, and they needed to counter it early. If Hetmyer had gone in earlier, he could have played his natural game and possibly changed the course of the match," Moody explained.
Moody further emphasized that this strategic misstep allowed Sunrisers Hyderabad to take control of the game with their spinners, a tactical blunder that ultimately cost Rajasthan Royals dearly.
Despite the disappointing end, Samson and team director Kumar Sangakkara both reflected positively on the season. "We had a great season, playing phenomenal cricket throughout. All we can do is put ourselves in positions of play-offs and vying for finals, which we did," Sangakkara said.
With this victory, Sunrisers Hyderabad have secured their place in the IPL final, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk on Sunday.
1/8:Qualifier 2: SRH down RR to set up IPL final with KKR
PTI
2/8:Sunrisers Hyderabad Victorious
<p>Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs on Friday to set up an IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders, as spinner Shahbaz Ahmed starred with three wickets.</p>PTI
3/8:Heinrich Klaasen's Heroics
Heinrich Klaasen smashed 50 off 34 balls to help Sunrisers post 175/9.AFP
4/8:Shahbaz Ahmed Shines
<p>Ahmed came in as an impact substitute in Hyderabad's batting innings to score 18 runs and then returned figures of 3-23 with his left-arm spin to flatten the opposition chase.</p>AFP
5/8:Kolkata Knight Riders Await
Kolkata, who thrashed Hyderabad in the first play-off game to reach their fourth final, will meet Pat Cummins' side again in the decider.AFP
6/8:Pat Cummins' Impact
Cummins, who cost SRH $2.5 million at the auction, remains on the cusp of another title after he led Australia to the WTC trophy and then to the ODI World Cup in India last year.AFP
7/8:Rajasthan's Chase Falters
Rajasthan faltered in their chase despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's quickfire 42 before the opener fell to Ahmed and skipper Sanju Samson soon departed for 10.PTI
