Dubai: Batsmen beware. Arguably the best bowlers are lining up against you when you face the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), beginning in the UAE on Wednesday.
Led by the world’s top-ranked pace bowler Dale Steyn, the Sunrisers attack boasts top names who have earned the respect of famed batsmen across the world. South African Steyn is joined in the ranks by Indian seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma.
But if a batsman thinks seeing off the new ball will give them a chance to go after the bowling, then they will be in for another surprise in the form of in-form leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who is coming into the IPL after impressive spells in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. Karn Sharma, who caught the eye with his miserly spells last year, and Parveez Rasool also have the capacity to keep things under control.
Last year the franchise, who were 2009 champions as Deccan Chargers under Adam Gilchrist, produced a creditable show to come back from abysmal depths in a disappointing 2012 campaign.
Hyderabad’s batting has some real match-winners, but lacks depth, especially the home-grown talents. It revolves around skipper Shikhar Dhawan, Aaron Finch and David Warner, with all-rounders Darren Sammy, the vice-captain of the team, Moises Henriques and Irfan Pathan playing crucial roles. It is also a good chance for former India internationals like Pathan and Venugopala Rao to remind the selectors of their talents.
Hence, the top three or four batsmen need to be consistent to ensure the Sunrisers produce positive starts.
It is here that the team might miss the services of former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara. The veteran batsman has the capacity to come up with something spectacular, especially when the chips are down, and there is no real substitute in the squad for him.
Compounding the woes, the prolonged lack of form of Dhawan will be adding more pressure to the team. Though the Indian opener can strike form and regain his confidence under familiar conditions, how soon he will regain his touch will play a big role in his team’s fortunes.
On the positive side, Sammy has been in pretty good touch and has consistently pulled the West Indies out of trouble with his cameos. Should he continue to do it, possibly in the company of Pathan and the latter order batsmen, Sunrisers can fancy their chances.
Hyderabad must be aware each run saved is the equivalent of a run scored — the philosophy that took them to the play-offs last season, where they lost to Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator. This year should be no different.
