Aiden Markram took a stunning catch to dismiss the in-form Sanju Samson in the second qualifier of IPL 2024 between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Chasing a target of 176 runs, RR got off to a strong start with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the charge.
Although his opening partner Tom Kohler-Cadmore couldn’t contribute much, departing for just 10, Jaiswal ensured a solid foundation for his team. He smashed 42 runs off 21 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, before being dismissed by Shahbaz Ahmed in the seventh over.
With Jaiswal gone, the responsibility fell on captain Sanju Samson to stabilize the innings. However, Samson’s stay was short-lived, as he lost his wicket just two runs after Jaiswal’s departure. SRH captain Pat Cummins turned to part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma to bowl the ninth over, and the decision paid off immediately.
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On the third ball of his first over, Sharma dismissed Samson, delivering a crucial breakthrough for SRH. Bowling a length delivery on the stumps, Sharma tempted Samson into a pull shot. Samson hit the ball towards long-on, where Aiden Markram was positioned. Initially, it seemed like Samson had placed his shot well and would secure four runs.
Abhishek-ing things up at Chepauk, with the ball 🔥💪#TATAIPLPlayoffs #IPLonJioCinema #SRHvRR #TATAIPL #IPLinTelugu pic.twitter.com/XsOdHkMnir
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 24, 2024
However, Markram sprinted to his right and executed a superb catch with a small leap, sending Samson back to the pavilion after scoring just 10 runs off 11 balls. At the time of writing, RR were struggling at 79 for 5 in the 12th over.
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Shortly after Samson’s dismissal, Shahbaz Ahmed struck again, removing Riyan Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin to put SRH firmly in control. Earlier in the match, Heinrich Klaasen’s half-century helped SRH post a competitive total of 175 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. The winner of this game will advance to face Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 final.
