Another IPL season is starting on March 22, and once again, the cricket world will be swept up in the excitement of the world’s most popular T20 league. Which team will claim the title this year? Before the tournament begins, let’s analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the teams to try and answer that question.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Captain: Pat Cummins
Coach: Daniel Vettori
Title: 1 (2016)
Squad: 20 players
Indian: 13
Foreign: 7
Retained Players: Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Nitesh Kumar Reddy
Bought in Auction: Ishan Kishan, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Avinav Monohar, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Ishan Malinga, Wiaan Mulder, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis, Zishan Ansari, Aniket Verma, Atharv Taide, Sachin Baby
Strengths
- The top four destructive batsmen — Head, Abhishek, Klaasen, and Nitesh — hit 133 sixes between them last season. Sunrisers Hyderabad has managed to retain all four. Additionally, they have brought in Ishan Kishan, the left-handed batter who has been released by Mumbai Indians after seven seasons. Kishan, who has been away from the Indian squad, will be eager to prove himself on this stage!
- Last season, Abhishek and Head scored 13.21 runs per over, with an opening partnership averaging nearly 50 runs. Klaasen will continue to destroy spinners in the middle order, and they are all in top form heading into the new season.
- Hyderabad has revamped their bowling lineup this season. They’ve added the new-ball master Mohammad Shami and the death-over specialist Harshal Patel. They’ve also acquired two leg-spinners, Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar, from the auction. Sri Lanka’s pacer Ishan Malinga could also be a surprise package. Of course, they still have captain Pat Cummins. All in all, they have assembled a formidable bowling unit.
Weaknesses
- It’s hard to find many weaknesses in Hyderabad’s squad, but their bench strength is not as strong. They’ve spent big to bring in Head, Klaasen, and Cummins, which has left them with foreign players like Wiaan Mulder and Kamindu Mendis, who fall short of the quality of Klaasen.
- While the top six is strong, the lower order isn’t as dependable. Indian players like Aniket Verma, Atharv Taide, and Sachin Baby will have to step up in this area.
Expectations vs Reality
Sunrisers Hyderabad, the finalists from last season, have strengthened their squad even further. If they don’t make it to the playoffs, it would be a huge surprise. They have every capability to win the championship.
