Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Imagine being the worst batting team in terms of run rate in all phases of an innings and still being top. Imagine not having a single score of 180 and still being top. That is Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018 – incredibly efficient, incredibly brilliant in their bowling execution, and incredibly settled despite injury concerns and the loss of David Warner.
They face a Delhi Daredevils side who are in quite stark contrast to SRH. DD have struggled to settle on their best bowling combinations this season, and still haven’t got the best out of the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Colin Munro, two proven T20 performers. Despite this, they have won two of their last three since the appointment of Shreyas Iyer as captain, and have what it takes to challenge SRH. Can they keep pushing for a playoffs spot?
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| SRH have been brilliant as a bowling unit in IPL 2018 |
Key to a Sunrisers Hyderabad win
It is not difficult to highlight SRH’s cornerstone to their success. In all of their wins in IPL 2018, their bowlers have played a key role, especially so in their last three games, defending modest totals of 118, 132 and 151, even with the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Billy Stanlake out with injury.
The key holds true again today. DD will be banking on their power hitters to get free from the SRH stronghold, but there is no doubt that will be a difficult ask. Out of Shakib Al Hasan, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Basil Thampi, Siddarth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma, the highest economy rate is just 7.25 (Rashid Khan).
If SRH can continue to execute brilliantly and work as a unit, they have what it takes to make it four straight. In addition, they would love a score from Shikhar Dhawan to set the innings up beautifully.
Key to a Delhi Daredevils win
DD have a line up full of batting talent. The performances of Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Prithvi Shaw in recent games show just how talented they are.
DD’s best avenue to victory is if these players con continue their good form, in conjunction with better contributions from the likes of Colin Munro (or Jason Roy) and Glenn Maxwell. DD can try restrict SRH to a small total, but SRH have shown they can defend totals even as low as 118, so the batsmen need to step up against a quality SRH attack.
Possible teams
Alex Hales came in for Mohammad Nabi in the last game for SRH, and he contributed well with 45. There is a concern for SRH in terms of their finishing – they only managed 31 in the last five overs v RR, which then required a great bowling effort to come out with a win. Expect Bhuvneshwar Kumar to return and bolster the bowling line up even more.
Sunrisers Hyderabad XI: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Yusuf Pathan, 7. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhvuneshwar Kumar, 10. Sandeep Sharma, 11. Siddarth Kaul
For DD, Colin Munro could make way for Jason Roy. The onus is on the batsmen to try and overcome SRH’s firing attack.
Delhi Daredevils XI: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Jason Roy/Colin Munro, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Liam Plunkett, 8. Amit Mishra, 9. Avesh Khan, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Shahbaz Nadeem
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches: 10, SRH 6, DD 4
- No Bhuvneshwar Kumar? No problem for SRH in IPL 2018. In the four matches without him, they have taken 34 wickets at just 14 runs per wicket.
- SRH are the worst batting team (in terms of run rate) at every stage of an innings (powerplay, middle overs and death) but are the best bowling team in each stage.
- SRH have won all games when defending a total. DD have won just one of five when chasing.
- DD’s last three totals: 219/4, 198/5, 196/6
Prediction:
DD have gone huge with the bat in their last three games, but this is their biggest test. At home, I expect SRH to continue flexing their bowling muscle, and get a win to remain top of the table.
