Face struggling Delhi Capitals as hosts aim for a better batting show to return to victory
Published Date – Monday, 4/24/23 at 07:00 AM
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Mayank Markande (middle) has been in impressive form with eight wickets in four matches. — Photo: PTI
Hyderabad: The Indian Premier League is halfway through and the campaign for the Hyderabad Sunrises still looks in tatters.
After back-to-back losses in their first two games, the Sunrisers look to be back on track with their next two-game winning streak.
However, they fell by the wayside, losing two more in their previous games – to Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
Monday’s clash against struggling Delhi Capitals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad offers another chance for the Hyderabad side to get their campaign back on track.
The Capitals finally got a taste of success after beating Kolkata Knight Riders in five consecutive games in a low-scoring last match. However, it wasn’t a walk in the park as David Warner’s side struggled in the small chase despite Warner’s 41-ball 57.
For the hosts, it was a perfect opportunity to score two crucial points and boost morale. However, it won’t be easy for the Hyderabad batsmen to play against the Capitals’ disciplined attack.
SRH’s batting, which looked strong on paper, failed to deliver consistently. The opening combination is constantly changing. Mayank Agarwal, the designated opener, was pushed off the batting order in the final game to accommodate left-hander Abhishek Sharma and big hitter Harry Brook.
Sunrisers coach Brian Lara said the duo will be top players for a long time given the combination of left and right. But batsmen have to give it their all to make a good run or chase a tough target. While captains Aiden Markram and Rahul Tripathi have been outstanding on several occasions, they need to show consistency to get better results. Brook, who played with KKR for a century, failed to continue the good momentum.
On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been attacking up front but Marco Jansen’s run error will leave the management in a bind over team selection. Spinner Mayank Markande impressed but Washington Sundar failed to make an impact on the ball.
The Capitals, on the other hand, have a lot of issues with the batting order. Warner’s strike rate has been under the scanner, scoring a rapid-fire half-century in his last outing.
But Prithvi Shaw’s performance has been puzzling. His 12, 7, 0, 15, 0 and 13 runs so far this season show his struggles with the bat. The same goes for Mitchell Marsh in Australia. Apart from Axar Patel, no other batsman has shown a willingness to fight.
However, the bowling department did a great job. Ishan Sharma’s return to action after a long time has shown he still has a lot to offer. Anrich Nortje’s speed and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin can cause enough trouble for home batsmen. All eyes will be on Warner, who was unceremoniously sacked as Sunrisers captain as he looks to prove a point or two against his old team.
