Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) delivered an exceptional performance, securing a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 57 of the IPL 2024 season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 8).

Chasing 166 to win, SRH’s opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma made the mockery of LSG bowling attack, finishing the match in just 9.4 overs.

While Head remained unbeaten on 89 off 30 balls (8 fours and 8 sixes), Sharma returned with 75 not out off 28 balls (8 fours and 6 sixes).

After the commanding victory, SRH skipper Pat Cummins humorously suggested that Head and Sharma had perhaps altered the pitch while chasing the total.

"Maybe Travis and Abhishek did (on did he change the pitch). We just let them go, they are two guys who are very positive and I am a bowler, it is tough for me to give them any input," quoted Cummins at the post-match presentation.

Praising his compatriot Travis Head, Cummins said: "He has been like this for two years, he hits the tough areas, hits the middle a lot, might not be super conventional."

Commenting on Abhishek Sharma's hitting, the Sunrisers captain said, "Just an incredible player of spin and pace. With just two fielders out, it is really difficult for the bowlers against them. I think the scores have gone up, and when the wickets are good, it is tough to come up with answers against batters when they get going. The boys have had a fantastic season, but to win this with less than 10 overs played is unreal."

Earlier, Lucknow rode on Ayush Badoni’s unbeaten fifty (55 off 30) to post 165/4 on the board. Badoni added an unbroken 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Nicholas Pooran (48* off 26) when LSG were reeling at 66/4.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for SRH, claiming two wickets by conceding only 12 runs in his four overs.

With this victory, SRH boosted their net run rate considerably and moved up to the third spot in the 10-team points table.

(With ANI Inputs)