SRH vs PBKS: "Wouldn't want to bowl to him, it's scary..." - Pat Cummins admits he fears Abhishek Sharma

Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) played their last league stage match of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) against Jitesh Sharma-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 19.

After being invited to bowl first in the match, SRH bowlers were taken to the cleaners by PBKS top order. They weren't able to do a good job in the match and ended up conceding 214 runs. Chasing the target, Abhishek Sharma (66), Rahul Tripathi (33), Nitish Reddy (37), and Heinrich Klaasen (42) played brilliant innings and steered SRH to a 4-wicket win.

At the post-match presentation ceremony, Pat Cummins highlighted the great home record of SRH in IPL 2024. He said:

"It's pretty cool, it's awesome. We have won 6 out of 7 here, it has been great and amazing. I didn't know many guys coming into this season, but we have played great cricket and had some fun. Great bunch of guys."

While talking about Player of the Match award winner Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins said that bowling to the left-handed batsman is scary. He also lavished rich praise on Nitish Reddy and labeled him a class player. Pat Cummins said:

"He (Abhishek) is amazing. I wouldn't want to bowl to him. It's scary as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners. Nitish is a class player, looks mature beyond his age, seems to sum up the game really well, he is perfect for our top-order."

Pat Cummins signed off by saying that he is quite satisfied with the performance of SRH and added that he is excited for the future. Pat Cummins stated:

"Really satisfying and exciting. I haven't played in finals before, we'll know in a few hours which game it is. Playing some really good cricket, excited for what's ahead."

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Journey In IPL 2024

Sunrisers Hyderabad had an awful campaign in the Indian Premier League 2023 as they finished as the wooden spoon holders. Then, SRH management decided to completely change their team and replaced Aiden Markram as the captain with Pat Cummins, who did an exceptional job and played a key role in the turnaround.

Sunrisers Hyderabad started off the tournament with a defeat but they were quick enough to gain momentum. The openers of the team - Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma - played some sensational cricket and batting dominance helped SRH post over 200 runs consistently on the board with the Pat Cummins-led side also scoring the highest-ever total in the history of the league.

The inconsistent bowling unit of SRH also delivered some great performances throughout the competition and supported their batters very well. They finalized their playoff berth after the SRH vs GT clash was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain on May 16. Meanwhile, the top 3 batters for SRH in IPL 2024 have been Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen and the star performers in the bowling department have been T Natarajan, Pat Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.