The TATA IPL 2024 season has ended for our Punjab Kings. It has been an eventful season for us. We witnessed some thrilling moments, including chasing down the highest-ever score in T20 history. Despite these exciting highlights, we finished ninth on the points table, ending the league stage with a hard-fought loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

A Terrific start!

Jitesh Sharma, our stand-in captain, won the toss and decided to bat first. We made history by becoming the first IPL team ever to field only one overseas player, Rilee Rossouw. Prabhsimran Singh and Atharva Taide gave us a fantastic start, matching each other shot for shot and putting us in a strong position. They built a solid 97-run partnership in 9.1 overs before Taide was dismissed for a well-played 46.

Prabhsimran’s excellent knock!

Prabhsimran Singh had been giving us strong starts all season but had only one fifty to his name before this match, but he came out all guns blazing. From the first ball, he attacked and looked in excellent form. He reached his second fifty of the season and went on to score 71 off just 45 deliveries. His aggressive innings set the foundation for us to achieve a big score.

Rilee Rossouw continued the momentum!

Rilee Rossouw looked dangerous from the moment he came out to bat. After Taide’s wicket, he kept the momentum going by hitting boundaries with ease. He scored a quickfire 49 off just 24 balls and seemed set for a big score before he was dismissed. As the only overseas player in the Playing XI, Rossouw certainly did not disappoint with his performance.

Jitesh Sharma puts the icing on the cake!

After the top order set a strong foundation, it was time for our stand-in skipper, Jitesh Sharma, to showcase his batting skills. We needed a big finish, and Jitesh delivered by scoring 32 off just 15 balls, helping us reach a total of 214 runs. For SRH, T Natarajan was the standout bowler, taking 2 wickets and doing his best to limit our score.

A Perfect start!

Defending 214, we needed a strong start, and Arshdeep Singh delivered exactly that. He came on and dismissed Travis Head for a first-ball duck, providing just the breakthrough we needed. Travis Head has been in amazing form and is known to be a dangerous player, so getting him out early was a significant boost for our chances in the game. This early wicket set a positive tone for our defense.

Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi lay a solid foundation!

Following Travis Head's departure, Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi emerged as formidable opponents. Sharma, in fine form, showcased his skills with scintillating shots, while Tripathi regained his touch after a tough season. They consistently found boundaries, maintaining a brisk run rate. 

Despite their efforts, Harshal Patel's continued success provided a glimmer of hope, dismissing Tripathi for 33. This breakthrough injected renewed confidence into our defense as we aimed to defend our total.

Shashank Singh provides the breakthrough!

Abhishek Sharma, in excellent form, seemed poised to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad to victory. However, Shashank Singh intervened, dismissing Sharma with his first delivery. This crucial wicket swung the match back in our favor. It marked Shashank's first wicket in the IPL, arriving at a crucial juncture for our team.

Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy take SRH home!

Following Abhishek Sharma's exit, Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy took charge for Sunrisers Hyderabad. They maintained pressure, ensuring the required run rate remained within reach. Klaasen's composed 42 and Reddy's valuable 37 kept their team on track. Despite their dismissals, it was too late for us to change the outcome. Sunrisers clinched victory by 4 wickets with 5 balls to spare, sealing a hard-fought win.

As the TATA IPL season concludes, we reflect on a mix of challenges and thrilling moments. Despite some tough days, we cherish the exciting memories that propel us forward. A special acknowledgment to our loyal Sher Squad for their unwavering support throughout. Though we may not have reached our full potential this season, we're determined to bounce back stronger in the next, fueled by renewed determination.

Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 214/5 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 71, Rilee Rossouw 49, T Natarajan 2/33) lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad 215/6 in 19.1 overs (Abhishek Sharma 66, Heinrich Klaasen 42, Arshdeep Singh 2/37)

Man of the Match: Abhishek Sharma