5 similarities between Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016) and Deccan Chargers (2009)

It could have been a perfect ending for the other side. Experiencing a brilliant late surge in the tournament, backed by the scintillating form of its star batsman, and basking in the support of their home crowd, the opposition had all their boxes ticked. But a determined Australian, leading a side from the front, and shepherding his resources shrewdly, clinched the title in style. In the end, the better “team” won.

The Hyderabad campaign can be compared to its erstwhile self, the Deccan Chargers, a now defunct franchise which turned the tables in 2009 to win the title. Here are five similarities between the Chargers and the newest champions of the tournament.

#1 Both had three Australians in the final side

In the finals, the Sunrisers Hyderabad fielded three Australians: Ben Cutting(who was also the Man of the Match), Moises Henriques, and David Warner himself. Similarly, Deccan Chargers also had three Australians in their final side: Ryan Harris, Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist, the captain.

Both Symonds and Henriques weren’t born in Australia. While Henriques hails from Portugal, Symonds was born in England.

Also, both Cutting and Harris were 29 when they played the respective finals.

#2 Both the teams had the Purple Cap winner

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and RP Singh both took 23 wickets each

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 23 wickets in this IPL, was the Purple Cap winner this time, beating Yuzvendra Chahal, the leg spinner from RCB who finished second.

If we refresh our memory, RP Singh, Deccan Chargers’ opening bowler, also took 23 wickets, exactly two more than another leg spinner from RCB, Anil Kumble.

Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and RP Singh were born in and play for the state of Uttar Pradesh. And, till the finals this year, both have the same number of T20I wickets!

#3 Both defeated RCB in the finals

Both teams defeated RCB by a small margin

The Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore by a small margin to lift the title this time. The Hyderabad bowling put brakes on a strong Bangalore batting line-up to clinch the title.

Seven years ago, the Deccan Chargers also defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by a single figure margin. Similarly this time, the Bangalore batting lost their way after getting to field first.

#4 Both were coached by an Australian

Tom Moody and Darren Lehmann were the respective coaches

Tom Moody, the towering Australian, who stands at 6’7’’, silently built up a side that found the right combination amongst a mix of experience and youth. In a team that had veterans like Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra, and prodigious talents like Mustafizur Rahman and Deepak Hooda, Moody combined with Warner to construct a strong side.

On the same line, 2009 saw Adam Gilchrist combining with another Australian all-rounder, the left-handed Darren Lehmann, who found the right mix to take Deccan Chargers to the title.Both Moody and Lehmann, who used to bat in the top order, were born in South Australia. The similarities don’t end there, as both have the same number of ODI wickets too(52) !

#5 Both captains came second in the race for the Orange Cap

Both Warner and Gilchrist ended as the second highest run getters

Captained by the Australian opener, David Warner, the Sunrisers won their maiden title this time. Seven years ago, there was another swashbuckling Australian opener, who led the Deccan Chargers to victory in 2009. Adam Gilchrist and David Warner have similarities between themselves too.

Both Warner and Gilchrist ended the IPL as the second highest run-getter during their respective IPL triumphs, scoring at roughly the exact strike rate. If we don’t stop the comparisons here, both Warner and Gilchrist were born in New South Wales, made their ODI debut against South Africa, and scored their maiden Test century in their second match!