IPL 6: SRH Season Review

For all the “T20 is a batsman’s game” argument, have a look at the Sunrisers this season. I think of the batman-superman analogy when people argue if SRH deserves the top 4 spot this season. Having no glamour players barring Dale Steyn and the weakest batting lineup on paper, the Sunrisers have surely surprised many this season. By restricting their opponents to scores less than 130 for 10 out of 17 times (they almost did it for the 11^th time in the eliminator) this season, they have beaten the ‘most low scoring wins in a season’ record. While not getting a Champions League T20 spot must be disappointing for them, the Risers and their supporters should be proud of their successful campaign.

It is not very common that a team that has no player in the Top 3 – Run getters/Wicket Takers gets into the seasons top 4. The other way of looking at it is how well the Sunrisers have played as a unit. For a team which supposedly had the weakest set of Indian players, a quick look at the stats reveals the fact that the Indian players have topped the list of highest runs, wickets and number of ‘Man of the Match’es. With Dale Steyn taking most of the lime light, Amit Mishra remains to be their highest wicket taker this time.

Amit Mishra has made sure he gets selected for the national team with his IPL performances.The Risers had a different looking team at the beginning of the campaign with Shikhar Dhawan injured, Darren Sammy unavailable, Parthiv Patel dropped and Karan Sharma unknown. Thisara Perera shouldered the responsibility of pushing to the ‘Divine 130’ totals early campaign with the support of local lads Hanuma Vihari and Ashish Reddy. Many a time this season, they were in 70 for 4 situations and ended up squeezing to the 130 total, thanks to the three I mentioned above. But what won them games was surely their bowling.

Here, I present 3 major factors that have taken the Sunrisers to the top 4 this season –

Disciplined Bowling Effort

Teams like MI might look to possess the strongest bowling lineup on paper but Sunrisers have so far proven to be the best bowling unit. Restricting opponents to scores of 130 or less for 10 occasions in the 17 times they played is no small effort. The fact that their bowlers enjoyed economy rates of less than 6 for 40 times this season speaks volumes about the unit and the bowling coach Waqar Younis deserves credit here. Karan Sharma has been a bit of a revelation and the allrounders Sammy, Perera (except for the Pollard bash) and at times Vihari have chipped in at crucial times.

Players peaking at the right timeNow, this is a crucial aspect in a league. With Dhawan injured and Sammy not played in the initial half of the campaign, Perera took the responsibility of pushing the SRH team total beyond 130, aided by the local boys Vihari and Ashish Reddy. Later, Dhawan continued his terrific form with consistency and Sammy showed his experience by scoring crucial runs for the team. In bowling, Steyn and Mishra have been two consistent forces for SRH this season. But the other bowlers Ishant Sharma, Karan Sharma, Perera and co have not done really bad, have they? After all, Steyn and Mishra can only bowl 8 overs in every game. Parthiv Patel and Hanuma Vihari have two Man of the Match awards each this season (anyone expected that?).

The Steyn FactorWell, one cannot deny his importance in the team. He may not even be the highest wicket taker for his team (let alone IPL overall) but then again, whom do the opposition fear the most? Whom do they try to just ‘play off’ and avoid giving wickets? Who can nullify someone like Gayle? Who has bowled the most number of dot balls this season? Yes, of course, it is the Steyn gun we are talking about. Most teams seemed reluctant to score off him and at times, gave him too much respect, and he certainly is the X-factor in this low profile SRH team. What amazes me though is his commitment (Remember his dives at long off in the RR-Watson thrashing?). He has no behind-the-hand slower balls, no slow bouncers and you know that he will swing the ball away from the right hander early on. Yet, he remains unplayable most times.

IPL teams might look completely different next season with the auctions and no retainment rule. The SRH might not have the Steyn gun next time around. But what they have proved this season is that there are no weak teams in IPL. The table toppers last season are now at the bottom of the table with more or less the same squad. What really matters is commitment, consistency and preparation.