Overview
It is evening at the Dubai International Stadium and the sun seems to be slowly fading into oblivion for the day. But while zooming in on the South African Under-19 players’ celebrations, it feels as if the sun is basking in all its glory. That day, nine years ago, a young Aiden Markram led South Africa to their one and only cricket World Cup title so far.
Even in recent times, Markram has been showcasing his leadership skills. Just over a month ago, when Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the SAT20, he was the captain. He has also taken over the mantle of leading South Africa’s T20I side. So perhaps Markram could be the man to chart Sunrisers Hyderabad’s turnaround.
The franchise has also appointed Brian Lara as the coach, and picked up new recruits during the auction after finishing in the lower rungs of the points table over the last two IPL seasons. The top order has a strong Indian core while the middle order is packed with overseas batters who have flair and can clear boundary ropes with ease. The pace bowling stocks look good too. Just like most other IPL teams, it has been a long exile for SRH as far as playing at home is concerned. So, would it be a happy homecoming for the franchise this season? The squad on paper certainly looks promising.
Strengths and Weaknesses
SRH seem to have got the balance right as far as the batting order is concerned. The franchise has invested heavily in Abhishek Sharma and he could end up giving them some returns this season. The all-rounder picked up 10 wickets at an average of just 15.3 and at an economy rate of a tad over 5 in this season’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Rahul Tripathi is renowned for playing breezy knocks, while Mayank Agarwal offers them some stability. Meanwhile, Harry Brook, Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Glenn Phillips can turbocharge SRH’s middle-order engine.
Right from the days when he cracked a slew of shots while facing Bangladesh Under-19’s spinners in the 2017-18 World Cup, Brook has looked like one of those players who judges the length quickly against spin. The SRH camp would certainly be hoping for Brook to showcase his skills and aptitude versus spin. With Umran Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Marco Jansen, T Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the set-up, SRH also have enough variety and depth in the pace department.
The spin artillery comprises Adil Rashid, Mayank Markande, Abhishek, Washington Sundar, Akeal Hosein and Vivrant Sharma. On paper, they have the bases covered. But it is difficult to imagine any of them filling the big shoes of Rashid Khan, who now plays for Gujarat Titans. SRH also have a small issue surrounding Markram, Jansen and Klaasen, as the South African trio are set to miss the first few games because of national-team obligations.
Strategy Watch
Klaasen would be expected to take up the gloves. The other option is to use Phillips as the wicketkeeper. The New Zealand middle-order bat is known for his batting smarts in the slog overs and can bowl a bit of off-spin. The last time IPL matches were played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in 2019, we witnessed some tall scores. With SRH having an explosive middle order, the franchise could be tempted to prepare batting-friendly decks.
Impact Player Watch
SRH might employ Vivrant Sharma as an Impact Player in a match or two. Be it the fifty he scored under pressure against Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2022-23 or the breezy hundred versus Uttarakhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, here’s one batter who isn’t afraid to take risks at the top of the order. Vivrant can also be a bit of a trump card with the ball in hand, exemplified by how he broke a key stand by removing Yash Dubey in a Ranji game versus Madhya Pradesh during the 2022-23 season.
Last Year
They lost 4 of their last 5 matches to finish in 8th place with a 6-8 record.
Best Finish
The franchise won its only title in 2016. The previous Hyderabad-based team, Deccan Chargers, had won the tournament in 2009.
Likely XI
Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (C), Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Washington Sundar, Adil Rashid, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, T Natarajan.