On This Day in 2024: Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Last-Ball Full Toss Seals Thrilling 1-Run Win for SRH Over RR

Both teams crossed 200 runs in a thrilling contest, with over 400 runs scored in total and SRH batted first and posted a big total, but RR fought hard in the chase as It all came down to the final ball, where Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a low full toss under pressure. RR couldn’t get the two runs they needed, and SRH won by just 1 run. It was one of the most exciting matches of the season.

SRH vs RR: 2nd May 2024

With the match between two of the best sides of the IPL 2024 as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) and expectations were sky high, and the clash lived up to the hype at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on May 2, 2024 as it was a classic high-scoring thriller, filled with explosive batting, timely wickets, and a nail-biting finish that went down to the last ball and in the end, it was SRH who held their nerve and secured a dramatic 1-run win, thanks to the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and some sensational power-hitting earlier in the game.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sunrisers Hyderabad got off to a steady but cautious start as the opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma had contrasting outings while Abhishek managed only 12 runs off 10 balls before falling to Avesh Khan and Anmolpreet Singh also couldn’t get going and departed quickly for 5, leaving SRH at 35/2 in the fifth over.

From there, Travis Head anchored the innings beautifully, mixing caution with aggression as He took his time to settle in but accelerated with some clean strokes as the innings progressed and Head scored a composed 58 off 44 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes, providing the foundation SRH needed.

The real game-changer for SRH was Nitish Kumar Reddy, who played one of the best knocks of his IPL career as he smashed 76 runs off just 42 balls, laced with 3 fours and 8 towering sixes and his fearless approach took the RR bowlers by surprise, especially Yuzvendra Chahal, who conceded a costly 62 runs in his four overs.

Joining him in the end overs was Heinrich Klaasen, who continued his brilliant form with the bat as he hammered 42 off just 19 deliveries, including 3 fours and 3 sixes, taking the scoring rate past 10 per over and the pair added 70+ runs in the final overs, propelling SRH to an impressive 201/3 in 20 overs. Despite the high total, Rajasthan’s bowling lacked sharpness as Sandeep Sharma was the most economical, giving just 31 runs in his 4 overs and picking up a wicket. Avesh Khan got 2 wickets but was expensive, while Chahal and Ashwin had off days. Overall, SRH’s explosive finish gave them momentum going into the second innings, setting a steep target of 202 for RR.

Chasing a target of 202 was never going to be easy, and RR got off to a nightmare start as Jos Buttler was dismissed for a golden duck on the second ball of the innings by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Just a few balls later, Sanju Samson was also bowled by Bhuvneshwar for a 3-ball duck as the Royals were struggling at 1/2 in the first over, and the chase looked in serious trouble.

But young Indian stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag brought RR right back into the contest. The duo stitched a brilliant partnership, counter-attacking with maturity and flair. Jaiswal played stylish strokes and reached his fifty in just 30 balls. He eventually made 67 off 40 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, before being bowled by T Natarajan.

Parag, on the other hand, was aggressive and confident. He scored 77 off 49 balls, hitting 8 fours and 4 sixes. His fearless hitting kept RR in the hunt as the required rate climbed. The pair added a crucial 134-run partnership for the third wicket and gave RR a real chance.
However, once Jaiswal departed at 135/3, pressure started to build again.

Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell were sent in to keep the chase on track. Hetmyer contributed a quick 13, but wickets began to fall regularly as Parag was dismissed at 159/4, and Jurel followed soon after but Powell, however, stayed firm and took the game deep. Despite RR staying close to the asking rate, SRH’s bowlers were clinical at the death.

The Story of the Final Two Overs

The last 2 overs of the game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals were nothing short of a nerve-wracking rollercoaster that had fans on the edge of their seats. With Rajasthan needing 20 runs from the final 12 balls and Rovman Powell at the crease, the stage was perfectly set for a dramatic finish.

Pat Cummins was handed the 19th over, and he started brilliantly as he dismissed Dhruv Jurel on the very first ball, getting him caught by Abhishek Sharma at deep square leg and the pressure then shifted to Powell, who faced the next three deliveries but couldn’t score a run as Cummins bowled three consecutive dot balls, mixing up his pace expertly. However, Powell bounced back in style on the final delivery, smashing a wide yorker over deep cover point for a huge six, keeping the game alive.

BHUVI – THE LEGEND OF IPL. 🫡

– Defended 13 in 6 and 2 off 1 against Powell. 🐐pic.twitter.com/rSCnLGc1UF

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 2, 2024

With 13 runs needed off the final over, the ball was given to the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the drama continued. He started with a pinpoint yorker to Ashwin, who could only manage a single. Powell then took over and showcased his power. He flicked the second ball for two, drilled the next for another two, and then played a clever lap shot for four and suddenly the equation was 6 off 3 balls.

The pressure was now on SRH, and Powell looked unstoppable. The fifth ball was flicked to deep square leg and Powell dived full length to complete a desperate second run, levelling the score at 201/6. Now, 2 needed from 1 ball. Then came the final moment. Bhuvneshwar bowled a full toss on middle and leg, and Powell swung hard but missed. The ball hit his pad and the loud appeal was answered with the umpire’s raised finger. Powell reviewed, but the ball-tracking confirmed it was plumb. Rajasthan Royals fell short by just 1 run, and Bhuvneshwar finished with 3/41, sealing a famous win for SRH.