IPL 2024: Freight train SRH unstoppable in Delhi, reaches No. 2 on points table

SRH produced a batting masterclass to outclass DC in a high-scoring group match to secure a thumping 67-run win over the hosts in the IPL 2024 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and jump to the second spot in the points table. Days before the match, DC bowling coach James Hopes had called SRH a "freight train", saying that his bowlers are preparing to stop them. However, SRH 'the freight train' were unstoppable on April 20 as the Pat Cummins-led side outbatted the hosts to register a thumping 67-run win at Qila Kotla.

Travis Head's blitzkrieg knock of 89 runs off just 32 balls, complemented by Abhishek Sharma's quickfire 46 off 12 deliveries, propelled SRH to a formidable total of 266 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Their explosive partnership, coupled with a record-breaking Powerplay score of 125/0, laid a solid foundation for SRH, hinting at the possibility of breaching the 300-run mark, a feat yet to be achieved in IPL history. In response, Jake Fraser-McGurk's aggressive innings of 65 runs off a mere 18 balls ignited hopes of a miraculous comeback for DC, particularly as he combined forces with Abhishek



Porel, who contributed a brisk 42 off 22 deliveries, to forge an 84-run partnership for the third wicket in just five overs. However, once Fraser-McGurk departed, DC's momentum waned, ultimately resulting in their collapse to 199 all out in 19.1 overs.

T Natarajan's crafty use of slower bouncers earned him impressive figures of 4 for 19, playing a pivotal role in securing SRH's victory and elevating them to second position on the points table with 10 points, trailing only behind Rajasthan Royals. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant struggled to find his rhythm, laboring to a painstaking 44 off 35 balls, which did not help DC's pursuit of the record 266-run target. Despite a promising start by Prithvi Shaw, who smashed four boundaries off an out-of-sorts Washington Sundar before a soft dismissal, DC faltered in their chase. Fraser-McGurk, displaying minimal footwork yet maintaining a stable base, unleashed a breathtaking onslaught, reaching his fifty in just 15 balls. However, his heroics couldn't salvage the match for DC, as they gradually slipped out of the qualification zone, leaving their aspirations hanging by a thread.