Summary
Sunrisers replaced 2009 champions Deccan Chargers in 2013 after the Chargers ran into financial difficulties. It was a straight swap, with Deccan having been based in Hyderabad and the new Sunrisers franchise retained 20 of the Chargers players. The inaugural season was a success as the Sunrisers finished fourth, before being knocked out in the Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals.
That season was built on several different individuals instead of one or two outstanding overall performances. Shikhar Dhawan was top scorer with 311, while four other Sunrisers players went past 200 for the season. Darren Sammy (174), Ashish Reddy (125), Biplab Samantray (123) and Kumar Sangakkara (120) also chipped in.
 |
| The Sunrisers retained the majority of players from the Deccan Chargers following their final season in the IPL in 2012 (PHOTO: Noah Seelam) |
It has not been as successful for the Sunrisers since, finishing sixth in the last two seasons. Following the 2014 auction where only Dhawan and Steyn were retained, the success was not replicated. It has been unfortunate for the Sunrisers in these last two years, finishing just two points off a play off place.
The form and sheer quality of David Warner since his arrival in 2014 has been one shining light for the Sunrisers, with the destructive Australian opener calmly surpassing 1000 runs in his two seasons for Hyderabad thus far. The bowling has shown promise, mainly through Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Karn Sharma and it has strengthened even more in the 2016 auction.
Key players
David Warner
Warner has been the star of the Sunrisers setup since being bought back in 2014. The opener has struck 1090 runs in his first two seasons, passing fifty on eleven occasions in 28 matches. His overall IPL record is considerable and, despite a relatively slow start to life in the IPL in his first three seasons, he has since scored 1500 runs in the three following years, spanning just 44 games with 17 half centuries.
 |
| Warner has been sensational for the Sunrisers but suffered a rare blotch on his record in the World t20 (PHOTO: Ryan Pierse) |
With such a good t20 record, it was a shock to see Warner stuggle so much in the World t20 for Australia. The left hander came in at four in the first two games and number three in the following two.
It was a move designed to accomodate Shane Watson and in-form Usman Khawaja and latterly Khawaja and Aaron Finch. The move to not open with Warner was lambasted by Aussie legend Shane Warne, with the 29-year-old scoring just 38 runs in four innings.
Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan has generally always scored runs in the IPL, save perhaps for the 2009 and 2010 editions. Another left hander like opening partner Warner, Dhawan is closing in on 100 IPL games at the top of the order.
 |
| Dhawan endured a tricky time in the World t20 (PHOTO: Christopher Lee-IDI) |
Again, like Warner, it was a desperately disappointing World t20 tournament for the 30-year-old. He only just managed to outscore his Australian teammate, scoring a total of just 43 runs in 52 balls in four innings.
In contrast to Warner, though, Dhawan has a relatively poor international record for India in t20Is, averaging just 20.80 and striking at a lowly 113.35. He will need to produce in this edition of the IPL to keep the Indian selectors from looking elsewhere.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Kumar, like his namesake Praveen, is a wily opening bowler who is capable of swinging the ball both ways at the top of an innings. An overall economy rate of just under 7 suggests the control and quality that Bhuvneshwar possesses.
 |
| Kumar is a dangerous bowler at both ends of an innings, getting swing early on (PHOTO: BCCI via NDTV Sports) |
His biggest wicket-taking seasons have come in the last two years, as he has taken 38 wickets in 28 games.
2014 was particularly impressive for Kumar as he recorded his record amount of wickets taken (20) alongside an impressive economy rate of just 6.65.
He makes up a strong-looking bowling lineup and will be pivotal up front as well as providing the Sunrisers with a dangerous option towards the back end of an innings.
Key auction buys
Ashish Nehra
Following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings, the reinvigorated Nehra was back on the market and it was the Sunrisers who swooped in to further bolster their bowling options.
 |
| Nehra belied his age to perform admirably at the World t20 (PHOTO: Christopher Lee-IDI) |
The 36-year-old burst back onto the main scene last year when he collected 22 wickets, finishing fourth behind Yuzvendra Chahal (23), Lasith Malinga (24) and CSK teammate Dwayne Bravo (26). Before the 2015 season, Nehra had endured three fairly nondescript seasons as he travelled at 8.7 runs an over between 2012 and 2014, averaging 28.67 as he took 30 wickets in 27 games.
His previous two seasons, in 2010 and 2009, proved successful as he took a total of 25 wickets over the course of 17 matches while going at under seven runs an over.
His reemergence as a quality opening bowler saw him return to the national side and play a key role in their route to the World t20 semi-finals. He took five wickets for India at 22.6 but his economy rate was yet again impressive as he went at just 5.94 runs an over. He will certainly add quality to a strong attack.
Yuvraj Singh
Another experienced Indian international, Yuvraj will represent his sixth IPL franchise when he turns out for the Sunrisers. The 34-year-old doesn't have the best IPL record, averaging 25.28 with a strike rate of just under 30 as well as passing fifty just ten times in 98 games, but the left hander is still a force to be reckoned with - he has also cleared the ropes 120 times in his IPL career.
 |
| Yuvraj was yet another Sunrisers batsman who struggled to make an impact at the World t20 (PHOTO: Ryan Pierse) |
His best seasons arguably came in 2011 and 2014, where he averaged just over 34 and had a healthy strike rate of over 130.
Again, like the aforementioned Warner and Dhawan and indeed England captain Eoin Morgan, Yuvraj is another Sunrisers batsman to have endured a poor return in the World t20.
He scored just 52 runs in four innings with a best of 24 and only managed the runs at a run a ball.
He is also expected to miss the first two weeks of the tournament due to injury and will need to prove his form and fitness if he is to play a key role in the the Sunrisers' campaign.
Mustafizur Rahman
 |
| Mustafizur treated the world to his considerable talent in the World t20 - there's plenty more to come, too (PHOTO: Pal Pillai-IDI) |
His t20 record is outstanding thus far, with an average of around 15 for his 36 wickets and an economy of under six.
He was in sublime form once again in the World t20, taking nine wickets in just three games against Australia, India and New Zealand.
Indeed, the 20-year-old took 5-22 in a sensational rout of New Zealand, although it was not enough to see Bangladesh to victory. His relatively mysterious bowling has brought him great success in his short career so far, with IPL expected to witness his range of slower balls and the outfoxing of many a batsman.
Potential starting XI
Warner, Dhawan, Williamson, Yuvraj, Hooda, Henriques, N Ojha, K Sharma, B Kumar, Mustafizur, Nehra
Squad analysis
The Sunrisers' squad is packed full of Indian talent, mainly in the bowling department. The bowling is looking to be the strongest area of the Sunrisers, with a whole host of options with the ball. The aforementioned Nehra, Kumar and Mustafizur will be joined by the likes of Trent Boult, Karn Sharma and new recruit Barinder Sran, as well as all-rounders Moises Henriques, Ben Cutting and Deepak Hooda. Bipul Sharma and Ashish Reddy also provide solid backup with IPL experience.
 |
| Hooda will look to build on his debut season in 2015 after carving out a reputation as being a hard-hitting batsman (PHOTO: PTI via Indian Express) |
Morgan had a poor World t20 but is a potential match winner and an excellent fielder - it will be a battle between him and Kane Williamson for an overseas spot in the XI.
The middle order looked relatively shaky last year and it does somewhat this year, too, although Yuvraj should see to that problem when he returns. They also perhaps lack another quality all-rounder to provide genuine competition to Henriques who, despite enjoying a fruitful season last time out, hasn't always convinced with both bat and ball.
Prediction
With so much pressure on Warner to perform and the worrying form of many others, the Sunrisers batting looks a little shaky at present. There is, however, no reason why they cannot produce their best once the tournament gets going and Warner has provided consistency in the last two tournaments.
The bowling lineup looks exceptional and will really help out the batsmen if they are indeed struggling again. There is so much bowling talent that players such as Boult and Sran could easily miss out on selection.
Yuvraj was a good pick in the auction and, despite his initial absence, he should come in and help cement a potentially delicate batting order. Hooda was another top signing and he will look to build on the promising foundations he laid with the Rajasthan Royals last season.
Verdict: have enough quality to reach the play offs, could even go one better
Comments
Post a Comment