[Watch] Andre Russell takes sharp catch to send Abhishek Sharma packing in KKR vs SRH, Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Abhishek Sharma failed to score big in the team's IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, May 21. The southpaw perished after scoring three runs off four balls.
Hyderabad won the toss and chose to bat first. They were off to a dismal start, with Travis Head back in the hut for a golden duck in the very first over. The onus was on the in-form Abhishek to help his side bounce back.
However, the youngster was dismissed early while trying to up the ante. Abhishek got out in the second over while trying to play a cover drive off a length ball from Vaibhav Arora.
He couldn't keep the ball on the ground and Andre Russell timed his jump well and completed a sharp catch to end the 23-year-old's knock.
You can watch the video of Abhishek Sharma's dismissal below:
It is worth mentioning that the winner of the Qualifier 1 will advance to the IPL 2024 final. The loser would have to play Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma's wickets put KKR on top in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have been the cornerstones of SRH's incredible run in the ongoing season. The two left-handed batters have taken the opposition bowlers to the cleaners and provided their team with flying starts consistently.
With 533 runs from 13 innings at an average of 44.41 and a strike rate of 199.62, Head is the leading run-getter for Hyderabad in IPL 2024. Abhishek, on the other hand, is the second-highest scorer for his team, chalking up 470 runs from 14 outings. He averages 36.15 and has a strike rate of 207.04 to his name.
KKR gained a commanding position by claiming the crucial wickets of the SRH openers early in the crucial encounter. Hyderabad's middle-order batters will now have to steer the ship out of choppy waters for the team.