The David Warner-led side was inarguably one of the best teams in the IPL this year. Unlike the other finalist, Royal Challengers Bangalore, the side had a solid bowling attack which was the backbone of their success. Eliminating two strong teams before entering the final, SRH gathered all confidence from the wins and had played to their strengths, keeping the momentum going.
The team was inducted into the IPL in 2013 and had made it to the playoffs that year. After finishing at number six in the next two editions, the Orange Army elevated their game and finished the season as Champions.
Road to victory
RCB was certainly not an easy team to beat in the final, as they had the best batting line-up, which included the three kingpins Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. The wind blew on SRH's side, who chose to bat first on a flat track at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore and posted a total of 208 runs. With their exquisite skills with the willow, SRH proved why they're not just a bowling heavy side.
It was a captain's knock yet again, with Warner slaughtering the bowlers with his 68 off 38, charging from the top. The veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh stepped up at the right time and launched boundaries with every chance he got. After five wickets were down, it looked like SRH's run rate would recede, but Ben Cutting sizzled at number six and took the RCB bowlers for a ride with his 15-ball 39, which was laced with four sixes and three fours.
RCB were off to a flyer with Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle taking the bowlers to the cleaners at will and the duo helped their side add 112 runs on the board in the first 10 overs and the game looked to be heading towards an early finish. However, Sunrisers struck back and the duo were dismissed in a span of three overs.
AB de Villiers, the hero of the second qualifier, was next to depart as he was dismissed cheaply and RCB were suddenly found reeling at 149/3 at the end of the 14 overs. Shane Watson and KL Rahul were at the crease, but with 60 required off the last 6 overs, the game was anything but finished. The duo hit a couple of lusty blows, but the pressure of the final got the better of them and RCB were left with the daunting task of scoring 37 in the final three overs.
Stuart Binny and Sachin Baby tried to steady the ship and guide their side home, but at the end RCB fell short of the target by 8 runs, helping Sunrisers lift their maiden IPL trophy.
The balanced side
Unlike the other teams that looked strong on paper and fizzled out in the tournament, SRH's well-balanced side and their consistency this season was unmatched. Though they lost their first two games, they made a staggering comeback, winning seven out of the next eight matches.
It was Warner's show most of the time, with his hat-trick scores- 90*, 74* and 59- all match-winning knocks. With Harsha Bhogle calling him the "Captain of the Tournament", the Australian southpaw scored 46, 52 and 73 to lead SRH into the playoffs. He was at his best, both as a skipper and a batsman, proving his mastery of the game. Ending second on the runs-scoring chart behind Kohli, Warner amassed 848 runs and the Australian now finds himself in seventh on the most number of runs in IPL history (3373).
The seamers have been outstanding for the team, with the deadly duo Mustafizur Rahman and Bhuvneshwar Kumar threatening the opponents with their pace and accuracy. However, they missed out on the services of the veteran Ashish Nehra in the last few games, who was ruled out due to injury, but the two youngsters covered for his loss with their commendable performances.
SRH was definitely the only team that showcased its bowling prowess. Mustafizur, who was riding on his glorious World T20 campaign, was roped in by the team for Rs. 1.4 crores. The Bangladeshi pacemen, known for his lethal off-cutters, picked up 17 wickets playing 16 matches, at an economy of 6.70.
Bhuvneshwar once again proved why his death bowling is currently one of the best, especially during the last over of the final. After a rattling spell in the first and the third over, Warner saved him for the end and the gamble yielded desired results. Walking away with the purple cap this season, with 23 wickets in 17 matches, Bhuvneshwar earned the "World Class bowler" tag from his skipper.
Though the batting was heavily dependent on Warner, senior players like Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan also chipped in with cameos to help the team as and when required. Returning from an ankle injury, Yuvraj played a commendable innings not only in the final but also the eliminator.
The other foreigners in the team, especially Eoin Morgan and Kane Williamson flattered to deceive during the tournament. Moises Henriques and Ben Cutting played a handy role during the tournament, and the duo rose to the occasion with Man of the Match performances in the second qualifier and the final respectively.
Road ahead
SRH are now aware of their team balance and have figured out their strengths and weaknesses. They have been heavily dependent on the captain and his incredible form came to their rescue on several occasions. The bowling is undoubtedly well-orchestrated and the all-rounders have helped the team get out of jail, when the top-order failed. However, a plunge in Warner's form might cause a crash in the batting line-up and it has to be mended with the arrival of other big-hitters who can stand up of and when their captain falters.
Verdict
High on confidence, they would definitely look to defend the title next year. Skipper Warner and his bowlers, who stepped in at the right moments for the team from the first match until the final deserve an ovation. The champions get a score of 9/10.
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