Pat Cummins led Sunrisers Hyderabad to a comfortable 4-wicket victory over Punjab Kings on Sunday, securing second place on the IPL points table. A key factor in SRH’s success was Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 66-run knock off 28 balls, which provided a strong start and ensured the required run rate was manageable in their 215-run chase.
Speaking to the broadcasters, Cummins expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s pretty cool, it’s awesome. We have won 6 out of 7 here, and it has been great. I didn’t know many of the guys at the start of the season, but we have played great cricket and had a lot of fun.”
Cummins also praised Abhishek, stating, “He is amazing. I wouldn’t want to bowl against him. He’s scary. Nitish is also a class player, mature beyond his years, and perfect for the top-order. It’s really satisfying. I haven’t played in finals before, and we’re playing some really good cricket. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Abhishek Sharma has had an impressive IPL season, scoring 467 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 209 and an average of nearly 39. Alongside Travis Head, the Indian opener has been a key contributor to SRH’s success this season.
SRH’s victory over Punjab Kings secured them a spot in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024, where they will face a strong Kolkata Knight Riders team. The match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 21. The winner of this crucial game will advance directly to the IPL 2024 final, while the loser will have another chance to reach the final in Qualifier 2.
