HH vs ST

So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, Pradeep as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. Do stay tuned to Sportskeeda with a lot more cricketing action lined up tomorrow. In the meantime, do follow our 2026 IPL Auction live blog on the main page as well.

Chris Jordan is the Player of the Match! Here's what he had to say: "At the start of the tournament, we've all come back together after a while, two important points this and also take the confidence with a win like this. I was trying to protect the shorter side of the boundary, but when I come back the second time, it was good. The vibe was good tonight, hopefully we can have another good run this season."

MATCH OVER!

Hobart Hurricanes won by wickets!

Sydney Thunder 180/6 (20)
Hobart Hurricanes 181/6 (19.5)

Nikhil Chaudhary 41 (31) | Ben McDermott 38 (24)

Shadab Khan 4-0-36-2 | Tanveer Sangha 4-0-26-1

A thrilling end to the game as it went down to the penultimate ball of the match but Hobart Hurricanes were the favourites for the majority of it. There was no half centurion for the Hurricanes but 75 runs during the six Powerplay overs (4 overs of mandatory Powerplay plus Power Surge) and that turned out to be the game changer for them.

Chasing 181 for victory, Mitchell Owen smashed the Thunder bowlers to all parts of the ground to get Hurricanes to 47/0 at the end of four overs. Tanveer Sangha soon got the better of Owen but the pair of Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott ensured no quick wickets. McDermott played positively and that helped Chaudhary to find his zone eventually as well.

Chris Green dismissed Chaudhary at the end of the 11th over to break the 61-run partnership while Shadab Khan also castled Ben McDermott a couple of overs later. Tim David still ensured that the Hurricanes got a decent Power Surge as Hurricanes made 28 runs out of it. David got out at the end of Power Surge with Daniel Sams bowling a clever slower bouncer while Shadab sent back Rehan Ahmed to get his second scalp. Matthew Wade also returned to the dug-out after being dismissed by Nathan McAndrew in the penultimate over. It was still a comfortable equation for the Hurricanes as they needed only four off the final over but things got tense when Nathan Ellis swung and missed a couple deliveries with the Hurricanes needing 1 off 2 after that. However, Ellis maintained his composure and drove the ball straight down the ground to start the season with a win.

19.5 Daniel Sams to Nathan Ellis, THAT'S IT! HURRICANES HOLD ON TO THEIR NERVE! Ellis hits the winning runs and Hobart Hurricanes start their title defense with a win against Sydney Thunder. Length delivery on the stumps, Ellis plays a classic straight drive and seals the game.

19.4 Daniel Sams to Nathan Ellis, OH! My, my, are we on to something here? Another dot! Length delivery outside the off-stump, Ellis swings to the hills and misses.

19.2 Daniel Sams to Nathan Ellis, OH! Banged in short, Ellis looks to pull and misses, through to the keeper. It's a dot ball. Ellis is checking if that was a wide with the umpire, it's not. Well, well, Thunder have reviewed it asking for a caught behind there. None on the UltraEdge and it's time to move on.

19.1 Daniel Sams to Nathan Ellis, NO-BALL! Horror delivery from Sams, even he can't believe it. Full toss over Ellis' head as he let's it through.

18.5 Nathan McAndrew to Chris Jordan, slower bumper, outside the off-stump. Jordan pulled it to deep mid-wicket. Fumble from Sams, but no damage done as they settle for a single.

18.3 Nathan McAndrew to Chris Jordan, FOUR! Pristing timing from Jordan, what a shot! Back of a length outside the off-stump, just a push off the backfoot and in the gap, through extra-cover as it races away to the ropes.