IPL 2020: Team Preview – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Not many T20 teams can boast of being a bowling-dominant side. Sunrisers Hyderabad can lay claim to this unique title with their strategies over the years. The Orange Army has dominated the oppositions with their versatile bowling attack while the batting side of things has been taken care of by David Warner. With Bairstow partnering him at the top, SRH gave an excellent performance in the IPL 2019. They will be hoping to go the distance with the tournament being shifted on the UAE tracks which are touted to be bowling-friendly wickets.
Squad:
Strengths:
Hyderabad’s biggest strength lies in their overseas contingent. In David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, they have two of the finest IPL batsmen. And this opening pair was overpowering every opposition in the last season. If they hit the tracks once again, all the worries of SRH fans shall disappear quickly. Warner has been a run-machine in the IPL. Since 2014, he has scored 500-plus runs in every IPL season.
In the bowling side of things, SRH have one of the greatest, if not the greatest, T20 bowler of all-time, Rashid Khan. The leg-spinner has played all around the world and still managed to bamboozle the batsmen. He will be accompanied by his fellow countryman, Mohammad Nabi. The Afghan all-rounder is a fine off-spinner and powerful hitter in the lower order. Both the Afghan superstars played in the Caribbean Premier League 2020 and the duo will be eager to perform on the UAE tracks.
Weaknesses:
While the Sunrisers have excellent top and death batting options, their middle-order is still fragile. They had the same issue in the last season but Warner-Bairstow managed to cover it up with their spectacular performance at the top. The number 5 position in their batting order is likely to be filled by a youngster since they do not have any experienced Indian batsman who can feel that void. SRH will have to find a youngster to step up in this season.
Hyderabad mainstays are all overseas players and their overdependence on the star players may prove to be a burden on the team. Since only four overseas players are allowed in any playing 11, their seven Indian batsmen will have to put strong performances if the Orange Army wants to clinch the top spot.
Strongest Playing XI:
David Warner* (c), Jonny Bairstow* (wk), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Virat Singh, Mohammad Nabi*, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan*, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma.
Kane Williamson will find a place in the playing XI if any of Warner and Bairstow is missing. The likes Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad and Bavanaka Sandeep will be waiting in the wings for their opportunity in the middle order. Fabian Allen and Mitchell Marsh will be on standby with all the overseas spots filled up.
Team Fixtures:
