5 reasons why Sunrisers Hyderabad can win IPL 2018

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been almost unstoppable in this edition of the Indian Premier League. They comfortably sit at the top of the table with 18 points and have already secured a spot in play-offs.

SRH won the 2016 edition of the IPL when they were led from the front by the flamboyant David Warner.

They look quite dangerous this time as well and have been firing on all cylinders in every single department - batting, bowling and fielding.

Their all-round performances often nullify the opposition team's aggression and enthusiasm, helping the Sunrisers to win matches with ease. They have strengthened their stand as title heavyweights and could go all the way to lifting the coveted trophy.

Here are five reasons why Sunrisers can be the Champions of IPL 2018:

---

#1 The stellar form of Kane Williamson

The Kiwi skipper has been unstoppable with the bat this season

Kane Williamson has been a household name in international cricket and a key player in the Kiwi national side. His ability to steer the innings and change the run rate according to the need of the situation is what makes him such a dependable batsman.

He was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad back in 2015 and was given the mantle of captaincy at the start of this season, after Warner was banned by BCCI and Cricket Australia. He has very ably handled the team and has led them to a play-off spot.

The SRK skipper has been on fire with the bat, leading from the front, scoring 625 runs in 13 innings and has struck 8 half-centuries so far.

#2 A dependable batting line-up

SRH have Manish Pandey who can change the outcome of the match single-handedly

The SRH batting lineup is a very strong one that can cause some serious damage to opposition bowlers.

Alex Hales has opened the innings with Shikhar Dhawan and the duo have provided good starts to the Hyderabad team.

Kane Williamson is a solid batsman who comes in at number three and can add runs briskly as well. Manish Pandey is another reliable batsman and can connect the big ones as well.

In the lower batting order, the experience of Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan comes very handy when the team needs to fire in the death overs.

#3 Lethal bowling attack

SRH's bowlers can choke opposition batsmen and defend low totals very efficiently

Sunrisers Hyderabad have always coasted to wins because of their bowlers who often make a mockery of the opposition batting. Their ability to defend low totals and take wickets in quick succession, which doesn't allow the batsmen to settle, makes them very difficult to play against.

Their bowling this season has been nothing short of exquisite in cricketing terms. Siddharth Kaul and Shakib Al Hasan have been constant threats, along with Rashid Khan, and have bagged 15 and 12 wickets respectively.

Sandeep Sharma and Billy Stanlake can keep the run rate in check. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn't been at his best, but we all know how dangerous he can be, considering the experience he possesses.

#4 The presence of Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is a proven match-winner for SRH and Indian cricket team

SRH have an IPL veteran in Shikhar Dhawan, who has scored runs on a regular basis for them, since joining the team in 2013. He has been SRH's talisman and has marshaled the team to victory in many run-chases.

Dhawan has scored 3948 runs in his IPL career and has scores of 300+ in each of his last eight seasons. He is a proven match-winner with his blistering knocks.

He has 387 runs in IPL 2018 so far, with three fifties.

As India's premium opening batsman alongside Rohit Sharma, Dhawan has previously won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and has also won the 2016 IPL. He will be looking to add silverware to his trophy cabinet.

#5 Rashid Khan - The X-factor

The Afghan leg-spinner has been Sunrisers trump card in the last two editions

Rashid Khan was signed up by SRH in the 2017 auction for a whopping sum of Rs. 4 crores after he came to prominence in the 2016 T20 World Cup where he took 11 wickets.

He turned out to be a blessing for the Hyderabad-based franchise as he bagged 17 wickets in his debut season of the Indian Premier League in 2017. The young spinner's ability to break partnerships is what makes him such a dangerous bowler.

Khan has taken 16 wickets so far in this edition of the IPL, and has a decent economy rate and averages 23.31 in 13 matches so far.

He could prove to be the X-factor for the Orange Army, if they are to win the title on 27th May.