IPL 2023: Sunrisers Hyderabad SWOT Analysis
A much-changed Sunrisers Hyderabad will enter the Indian Premier League 2023 with a new captain and new head coach. The big changes were expected as they finished the last edition in the eighth position with just six wins from 14 group-stage matches. They face Rajasthan Royals in their first game at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 1.
Aiden Markram is named captain after he guided Sunrisers Eastern Cape to SA20 2023 glory and won the Player of the Tournament award. He is appointed to lead the team ahead of the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and new signing Mayank Agarwal while the batting coach Brian Lara is promoted to head coach role, replacing Tom Moody.
Sunrisers released the former skipper Kane Williamson and the star wicketkeeper batter Nicholas Pooran. Hyderabad entered the IPL 2023 mini-auction with the largest purse. They spent big bucks on signing English sensation Harry Brook and Indian top-order batter Mayank Agarwal.
They significantly strengthened their spin attack with Adil Rashid, Akeal Hosein, and Mayank Markande joining fit-again Washington Sundar. Overall, Hyderabad have a balanced squad to mount a title challenge ahead of the 16th edition of the tournament.
Let us analyse the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad:
Strength
Once again, Hyderabad will be expecting big performances from their well-stacked bowling attack. The veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be leading the pace attack with youngster Umran Malik and T Natarajan, with trio taking 52 wickets combined last season. This season, Adil Rashid and Akeal Hosein further strengthen their spin attack to partner Washington Sundar. Marco Jansen, Kartik Tyagi, and Mayank Markande add further depth with Aiden Markram and Abhishek Sharma also capable of bowling if the situation arises.
Weakness
Sunrisers enter the tournament with just one attacking spin option with Adil Rashid. But the English spin ace might find difficult to find a place in the playing XI with limited overseas slots. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not played any cricket since New Zealand series. The Meerut-born bowler might take some time to settle in. Natarajan also lacks match fitness with his last T20 innings coming in October last year in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022.
Opportunity
Glenn Phillips did not get any chance to showcase his batting skills last season with limited overseas slots. But over the year he has emerged as one of the best finishers in T20 cricket and will be raring to print his name on the biggest T20 platforms. However, he faces tough competition for the wicketkeeper spot from Heinrich Klaasen, with the latter costing big bucks in the auction.
Threats
Harry Brook and Aiden Markram will enter IPL 2023 with a lot of expectations due to their recent performances. Markram won the Player of the Tournament in SA20 2023 with sensational performances with bat and ball. Brook has recently shocked the Test cricket at a strike rate of almost 100 and an average over 80. He will be a little under pressure with a hefty price tag but will be the biggest threat for the opponents from Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2023
Sunrisers Hyderabad updated squad:
