The countdown to IPL 2020 continues.
Today we take a closer look at one of the most successful and balanced teams in the history of IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The franchise wasn’t really an active bidder in the IPL 2020 auctions. That just goes to show how much confidence the management has in their players.
History
The Sunrisers were a late addition to the entire history of the IPL. The team was earlier known as the Hyderabad Deccan Chargers. The Deccan Chargers won the second season of the IPL back in 2009. The owners then put the franchise for sale in 2012. The Sun TV Network won the bid and the team was thus named the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The franchise, however, made a smooth transition despite major changes. The team has delivered consistent performances making into the playoffs five out of the seven seasons played. The team went on to win the tournament in 2016.
2013: 4th place (playoffs)
2014: 6th place
2015: 6th place
2016: Champions
2017: 4th place (playoffs)
2018: 2nd place
2019: 4th place (playoffs)
Squad for IPL 2020
David Warner (captain), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Vijay Shankar, Mitchell Marsh, Virat Singh, Priyam Garg, Bavanaka Sandeep, Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Fabian Allen, Sanjay Yadav, Shreevats Goswami, Wriddhiman Saha, Johnny Bairstow, Mohammad Nabi, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Basil Thampi, Billy Stanlake, Thangarasu Natarajan and Sandeep Sharma.
How will they perform in IPL 2020?
BATTING – The top order obviously stands out. The team will feature the destructive opening pair of David Warner and Johnny Bairstow. They will be followed by the equally destructive Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey.
The middle-order is the place where a possible loophole can be seen. Due to the restriction of only four foreign players allowed, Mitchell Marsh and at times even Kane Williamson might not make the team. The responsibility, therefore, would be on Vijay Shankar. He will be followed only by inexperienced and young players like Priyam Garg, Virat Singh, Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, etc.
BOWLING – Sunrisers have always been known for their bowling department. The fast bowling, in particular, is completely stacked unchanged. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will lead the attack with young yet tested Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, Basil Thampi, and Sandeep Sharma. Billy Stanlake would be a great addition depending upon the conditions as well.
The spin bowling may not seem stacked, however, it includes one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, Rashid Khan. He will be accompanied by an experienced Shadab Nadeem.
If Sunrisers could strike the right balance in their four overseas players and if their middle-order holds up, they will definitely make the playoffs.
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