It is so tempting to write about the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling unit. They have worked wonderfully well in this year’s tournament. In a format where the batsman usually dominate the proceedings, the Sunrisers’ bowlers have helped their batsmen chase easier targets. Even when their batsmen didn’t give them huge targets to defend, they have still managed to win a couple of matches.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserves a special mention here. In a bowling line-up that has Trent Boult and Dale Steyn (albeit not at his best), Bhuvneshwar has done consistently well for Hyderabad, especially in the death overs. On Saturday against Chennai Super Kings, he started by bowling a maiden. A maiden at the beginning of a chase makes a lot of difference. Towards the end, when 57 runs were needed to be defended from 24 balls, he gave away just eight and picked a wicket.
The rest of the bowlers pitched in too. Moises Henriques gave away just 20 in his four overs, and picked up the two crucial wickets of Smith and Raina. Praveen Kumar, Karn Sharma, and Ashish Reddy supported the two on a day when Trent Boult was expensive. Arguably, the Sunrisers have the best bowling attack of this year’s IPL.
The batting pattern
But it is their batting that has kept the Sunrisers from propelling themselves to the top four in the points table. So far the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting seem to be strictly following an algorithm.
Step 1: Warner gives a splendid start.
Step 2: Warner gets out around the tenth over or so.
Step 3: The rest huff and puff to reach a total twenty to thirty runs short of the projected score when Warner was at the crease.
By now, it is clear even to those who don’t follow the tournament closely that David Warner is the lynchpin in the Sunrisers batting line-up. “Do you think the Sunrisers Hyderabad has a one-man batting line up?” was the pulse question of the day. Above 80% of the voters replied in the affirmative.
One of the important reasons for their batting instability is the lack of a consistent No. 3. This slot slot, regardless of the format, is crucial. In the longer formats of the game, No. 3 is generally expected to anchor the innings. But it is not as rigid in T20. If a wicket falls at the start of the innings, he has to make sure that he doesn’t get out soon, without getting into a shell while trying to guard his wicket. But if there is a good start, then it is his job to carry on the momentum provided by the openers.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are struggling to find someone to fit the bill. They have tried a number of different players, experimenting with Kane Williamson, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, KL Rahul, and, on Saturday, Moises Henriques. But without success.
The issue is that the chosen batsman has been unsure about the pace at which to bat. David Warner, almost invariably, launches fusillades at the beginning. When his fireworks end, the next batsman seems confused – carry on where Warner has left off, or take one’s time to settle down? Ideally, he must neither bide his time nor try to emulate Warner. He must try to stay till at least the thirteenth over, with a strike rate of 120 or above.
Who should come in at No. 3?
There are several contenders. But the team management must choose between Eoin Morgan or Kane Williamson instead of juggling with four or five batsmen. Bopara and Henriques are batsmen who cannot be expected to be consistent. They are more of potential cameo artistes when it comes to batting. As for KL Rahul, he needs to modify his game to suit the needs of T20 (without, one hopes, affecting his test batting).
Williamson is one of the brightest batting prospects. The 23-year old New Zealander has a classic batting style. He doesn’t have the brutality of Warner, but can be precise with placement and superb with shot-execution. Even if he can’t hit big strokes constantly, he is one of the batsmen capable of keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Morgan, if he finds his form, would be the best fit as he can rotate the strike and get the big ones easily as well. His seemingly effortless execution of the unconventional shots (the reverse sweep and the scoop, for instance) makes him one of the best in this format.
Either of them would bring stabiity to the Sunrisers’ batting line-up.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (115 for 3) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (111 for 4) by 7 wickets (10-over match).
Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserves a special mention here. In a bowling line-up that has Trent Boult and Dale Steyn (albeit not at his best), Bhuvneshwar has done consistently well for Hyderabad, especially in the death overs. On Saturday against Chennai Super Kings, he started by bowling a maiden. A maiden at the beginning of a chase makes a lot of difference. Towards the end, when 57 runs were needed to be defended from 24 balls, he gave away just eight and picked a wicket.
The rest of the bowlers pitched in too. Moises Henriques gave away just 20 in his four overs, and picked up the two crucial wickets of Smith and Raina. Praveen Kumar, Karn Sharma, and Ashish Reddy supported the two on a day when Trent Boult was expensive. Arguably, the Sunrisers have the best bowling attack of this year’s IPL.
The batting pattern
But it is their batting that has kept the Sunrisers from propelling themselves to the top four in the points table. So far the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting seem to be strictly following an algorithm.
Step 1: Warner gives a splendid start.
Step 2: Warner gets out around the tenth over or so.
Step 3: The rest huff and puff to reach a total twenty to thirty runs short of the projected score when Warner was at the crease.
By now, it is clear even to those who don’t follow the tournament closely that David Warner is the lynchpin in the Sunrisers batting line-up. “Do you think the Sunrisers Hyderabad has a one-man batting line up?” was the pulse question of the day. Above 80% of the voters replied in the affirmative.
One of the important reasons for their batting instability is the lack of a consistent No. 3. This slot slot, regardless of the format, is crucial. In the longer formats of the game, No. 3 is generally expected to anchor the innings. But it is not as rigid in T20. If a wicket falls at the start of the innings, he has to make sure that he doesn’t get out soon, without getting into a shell while trying to guard his wicket. But if there is a good start, then it is his job to carry on the momentum provided by the openers.
Sunrisers Hyderabad are struggling to find someone to fit the bill. They have tried a number of different players, experimenting with Kane Williamson, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, KL Rahul, and, on Saturday, Moises Henriques. But without success.
The issue is that the chosen batsman has been unsure about the pace at which to bat. David Warner, almost invariably, launches fusillades at the beginning. When his fireworks end, the next batsman seems confused – carry on where Warner has left off, or take one’s time to settle down? Ideally, he must neither bide his time nor try to emulate Warner. He must try to stay till at least the thirteenth over, with a strike rate of 120 or above.
Who should come in at No. 3?
There are several contenders. But the team management must choose between Eoin Morgan or Kane Williamson instead of juggling with four or five batsmen. Bopara and Henriques are batsmen who cannot be expected to be consistent. They are more of potential cameo artistes when it comes to batting. As for KL Rahul, he needs to modify his game to suit the needs of T20 (without, one hopes, affecting his test batting).
Williamson is one of the brightest batting prospects. The 23-year old New Zealander has a classic batting style. He doesn’t have the brutality of Warner, but can be precise with placement and superb with shot-execution. Even if he can’t hit big strokes constantly, he is one of the batsmen capable of keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Morgan, if he finds his form, would be the best fit as he can rotate the strike and get the big ones easily as well. His seemingly effortless execution of the unconventional shots (the reverse sweep and the scoop, for instance) makes him one of the best in this format.
Either of them would bring stabiity to the Sunrisers’ batting line-up.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (115 for 3) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (111 for 4) by 7 wickets (10-over match).
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