FEATURES
Follow UsIPL 2023 Finish: 10th
New Additions: Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jaydev Unadkat, Akash Singh, Jhathavedh Subramanyan
If ever there’s a thing as golden euphoria in anyone’s sporting journey, Pat Cummins stands as a solid testimony - with a CV as powerful as Napoleon Bonaparte, sans the authoritarianism. There’s not a thing he wanted and didn’t get in the last couple of years - from winning the World Test Championship final to silencing a 100000-strong Ahmedabad crowd in the World Cup final, whatever he has touched has turned gold.
It’s difficult to presume that didn’t run in Sunrisers Hyderabad management’s mind when they handed over the reins of the side after splurging over 20 Crores to secure his services. That despite Aiden Markram helping the franchise win their SA20 team to their second successive title.
The change in guard is especially important after the franchise finished as the wooden spooner in the IPL 2023, which led to Brian Lara’s removal as the head coach. Daniel Vettori returns to the IPL - as the third coach for SRH in three years - but the success of the franchise will eventually rest on the combination they follow and how they let go of the conservatism that crippled their journey in the IPL 2023.
What can win them the trophy?
A strong overseas contingent
Cummins, Travis Head, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Heinrich Klassen will form the first XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad, with last year’s skipper Aiden Markram coming into the side in the latter half. That makes it a very lethal combination of overseas talents - dare I say, the best of all sides.
Head solves Sunrisers’ biggest issues - powerplay concerns. In the IPL 2023, Hyderabad had the worst run rate of all sides (7.9) and none of the SRH batters had a strike rate of more than 140 in the powerplay. Head has scored at a strike rate of 168 in T20Is since 2022, with 83% of his runs coming in the first six overs at a strike rate of 173.
While Rahul Tripathi and Mayank Agarwal are not the same batters they used to be, Klassen's presence brings a sense of optimism to SRH. He was the only player with more than 300 runs for SRH last season. His 448 runs came at an average of almost 50 and a ridiculous strike rate of 177.
Add to that the magic of Hasaranga and Cummins, SRH have a squad that can actually make some ripple in the upcoming Indian Premier League, provided their Indian contingent decide to be more than just passengers.
A stronger bowling unit
With 23 wickets in total, Sunrisers Hyderabad had seen their spinners bumping the IPL 2023 in a spectacular fashion. They were the second-worst side in the tournament as far as their spinners’ performance was concerned, but the addition of Hasaranga and Shahbaz Ahmed makes things easier for Sunrisers. While Hasaranga makes it to any side on the might of his bowling alone, he is more than a handful for a batter.
Last year, their bowlers collectively misfired, but look at the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik and T Natarajan - they have bowlers to dominate all phases of the game. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s legend with the new ball is well known, Malik and Natarajan have dominated the middle overs and death overs, respectively. If they can collectively fire, Sunrisers Hyderabad can definitely do better than their last season’s performance.
What could cost them the title?
Indian batting contingent’s form
Playing Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma, and Tripathi would have been the ideal combination for SRH, but the way the trio tanked the IPL 2023, trusting them to do the job would be difficult for the management.
In the last two IPL seasons, Agarwal has been dismissed inside the powerplay in 45% of the matches and has faced only six balls in the final five overs. On the other hand, Tripathi’s form has been a cause of concern - particularly against pacers - against whom he averaged just 12 last season. His performance after IPL 2023 has not been good either, as he scored just 130 runs in seven innings during SMAT 2023 with an average of 21.7 and no half-century scored.
Things to watch out for
- Spinners' performance in the middle overs
- Shahbaz Ahmed’s all-round strength
- Pat Cummins’ T20 form
- Usage of Aiden Markram and Wanindu Hasaranga
Probable XI
Mayank Agarwal, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Heinrich Klaasen(wk), Abdul Samad, Washington Sundar, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik
Uncapped X-Factor
Abdul Samad has the ability to finish the innings thanks to his incredible ability to hit pacers with ease. He has a strike rate of more than 160 against them in IPL, which will keep SRH interested.
Schedule till April 7
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, March 23, 2024 (Away)
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians, March 27, 2024 (Home)
Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, March 31, 2024 (Away)
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings, April 5, 2024 (Home)
Downloaded Our Updated Fantasy App Yet? Don't delay, Download Now.
