IPL 2015: Predicted Sunrisers Hyderabad XI

While the Sunrisers have a history of winning the title (in its earlier avatar as Deccan Chargers) and finishing 4th in 2013, they have struggled in the last season. The Sun TV Network owned franchise has spared no effort though in reinforcing its resources by bidding aggressively at the IPL VIII auction. The addition of Trent Boult and Praveen Kumar has added strength to the bowling attack.The absence of Kevin Pietersen, who has been released to play county cricket will be a major setback. But the addition of Kane Williamson should lend the franchise much needed stability in the batting order. Here, we look at the most probable eleven that can help SRH reach the play off stages and challenge for honours.

#1 David Warner (Captain)

The Aussie is a formidable player in any format. Warner’s speed and agility accentuate his value in the shortest format of the game, as he can destroy the best of attacks on his day. The diminutive Aussie will also be able to impose himself better, having replaced Shikhar Dhawan as the captain of the franchise. He was bought in 2014 for 5.5 crores and the season ahead could provide the Aussie an ideal platform to repay his franchise by leading from the front. The added responsibility of captaincy should spur him to greater heights.

The man from New South Wales has played in the IPL since 2009. He has collected 2 centuries and 16 fifties in 69 matches at an imposing strike rate of 135. SRH will hope that Warner is able to give the team a great start in the company of Dhawan.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan was the captain of SRH last season and at times he seemed weighed down by the responsibility. Now that Warner has been chosen to replace him, he should relish the freedom and tear into opponents with his trademark aggression.

In Dhawan and Warner, SRH has a ferocious opening pair that could alter the dynamics of a game with their uninhibited stroke play. But it will be key for one of these two batsmen to go on and play at least through the halfway mark of the innings.

He has to iron out some of the inconsistencies that have crept into his game recently. The southpaw is back playing in Indian conditions and he should relish the batting friendly pitches that will greet him during the next few weeks. Dhawan has averaged nearly 32 in his 82 games in the IPL, but is still hunting for a century. He has 18 fifties and a strike rate of 121.68 is nothing short of phenomenal.

#3 Kane Williamson

The New Zealander might prove to be a terrific acquisition for the Hyderabadi team, if the Black Cap can rediscover the kind of form that reflects his potential. Williamson is the brightest batting prospect on the horizon for the team from the southern hemisphere and is widely rated as a long term prospect across formats.

Williamson will be eager to impress upon his IPL debut and would have spent time speaking about it with the experienced Brendon McCullum. These cricketers know the value of doing well in India to enhance their professional careers. And the opportunity to flourish without the burden of national colours should excite Williamson, in his league debut.

With an early wicket a constant threat for Sunrisers, Williamson’s steady hands will come in handy for the team as they try and steer clear of further damage in the early overs.

Back-up – Eoin Morgan

#4 K L Rahul

The 22 year old Karnataka batsman is in great form, having played a key role in helping the defending champions have another compelling domestic season. The young batsman can also keep wickets, which means he could also open up another slot for an additional bowling/batting allrounder.

He has a compact technique and as witnessed during that marathon triple hundred in the finals of the Ranji Trophy, the lad has great temperament as well. All those attributes will come in handy for Sunrisers at number four, to build a platform for an assault in the end game.

#5 Hanuma Vihari

The 21 year old is a quick learner and a handy all-rounder. Vihari played a full season in 2013, before failing to get a single game in the last edition. But he will fit well into Sunrisers plans this season, with his batting and the ability to turn over his arm, producing some useful off-break bowling.

Vihari is still cutting his teeth with Hyderabad in domestic cricket, but having played a hand in the 2012 under-19 World Cup victory in Australia, he understands the mechanics of tournament cricket just as well as any young man in the league.

Besides, Vihari understands home conditions better than Ravi Bopara, which should give him the edge at #5 at least when the team plays in Hyderabad.

Back-up – Ravi Bopara

#6 Naman Ojha

A steady hand behind the wickets, Ojha has batting pedigree too. He has been consistently accumulating runs on the domestic circuit. He had solid technique having opened for Madhya Pradesh for several years.

With a strike rate 122, Ojha has proved valuable to the plans of Rajasthan Royals in the early phases of the IPL. He also had a few busy seasons with the Delhi Daredevils before he was snapped up by the Sunrisers management for this season.

His flashy skills behind the wicket will mean that he can keep the team energised and the crowd engaged, which is always a plus in this form of the cricket.

#7 Karn Sharma

The 27 year old has grown in stature over the past season. He has been offered India colours in all three formats and that should help him look ahead to the IPL with confidence. Sharma will provide a much needed spin option for the Hyderabad team.

In the absence of Amit Mishra, Karn could turn out be a vital cog in the bowling arsenal for Sunrisers. His leg spin accounted for 15 wickets in the previous season of the IPL. However, he has been a tad expensive at times and will need to ensure he picks the right lines to attack. He also has a handy googly, which should keep batsmen guessing.

One area that Tom Moody would like Karn to work on would be his batting as he will need to make a better contribution whenever he is needed with the bat especially since he has to bat at number 7 in all likelihood.

Back-up – Moises Henriques, Parvez Rasool

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The 25 year old Indian bowler is a terrific addition to the Sunrisers team. The young Uttar Pradesh star had to cool his heels in Australia, playing just one of the games for the team. That should see him enter the IPL on fresh cylinders.

He is handy with the bat as well, adding depth to the line-up. It could prove useful especially on evenings where the Sunrisers lose some early wickets. Bhuvneshwar is an intelligent cricketer and that could help him join forces with the lower middle order to stem the rot where necessary.

But his bowling will be a great weapon in the middle overs, keeping pressure on the opponents immediately after taking over from the two frontline pacers.

Back-up – Praveen Kumar

#9 Dale Steyn

The South African has long been considered the finest pace bowler in international cricket. And with only four overs to bowl, Steyn should be able to fire off the blocks and do some damage at the start and then come back for some more at the end.

However, the team and the bowler will be weary of his indifferent form at the recently concluded World Cup. The picture of a desolate man, slumping to the ground immediately after that heart-breaking loss in the semifinals will stay with us for a while.

It will be interesting to see how Steyn recovers from that setback and delivers the goods in the IPL. If he does return to his fiery best, teams will run for cover. Otherwise, Sunrisers will have some serious thinking to do.

#10 Ishant Sharma

The lanky bowler has been out of action for a while, so one can expect him to be itching to get out there and play some competitive cricket. Discipline is Ishant’s biggest enemy, but with plenty of choices around him, he will look to fire early and consolidate his spot in the team.

The Sunrisers could end up having a fearsome foursome in their frontline bowlers if Ishant can deliver during the early stages of the tournament. But if they had to pick a spinner or an additional all-rounder, then this is the spot that looks the most vulnerable.

Back-up – Ashish Reddy

#11 Trent Boult

One of the two New Zealanders acquired by the Hyderabad team – picks that make the management look like prescient people. Boult was sensational throughout the World Cup and if he can continue that run, his four overs could prove vital for the success of the team.

However, conditions are very different in India compared to those in New Zealand. It will make for an interesting experience watching the young bowler adapt to the conditions in India. He will not have the same degree of help either in the air or off the pitch.

Accuracy will be the key, so he will need to quickly adapt his length to thrive in India. But he has the ability to make clever use of the seam and his pace will prove tricky for his opponents.

Back-up – Praveen Kumar

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Edited by Staff Editor