IPL 2017: Sunrisers Hyderabad Factfile

Sunrisers Hyderabad have blown hot and cold this season so far. Having started off the season on a positive note, they lost their way in the middle stages before coming back with a bang with a thumping win against the table toppers Mumbai Indians on 8^th May.

While their bowling is top-quality, their batting unit too has done a phenomenal job this season. The Sunrisers have their ever so consistent captain and the Orange Cap holder, David Warner (535 runs at an average of 53.5) in red hot form, single-handedly steering his side to victory on numerous occasions. Shikhar Dhawan too has had a good season (450 runs at an average of 41) and has struck the ball cleanly at an impressive SR of over 150 in his last six innings. The duo has been involved in two partnerships of over 100 runs this season.

Williamson too has found his feet, playing some invaluable knocks (89 against DD, three 50s overall) for the side in crisis situations. Moises Henriques has looked very good with the bat (273 runs at an average of 55), timing the ball well and contributing to the side whenever given a chance.

Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Mumbai Indians Factfile

Yuvraj Singh has been quite hit and miss in this campaign. He has either played very poorly, struggling to get a feel of the ball, or has looked potent and destructive as evidenced by his 62 off 27 vs RCB and 70 off 41 vs DD. Naman Ojha has been below par this season for SRH (63 runs so far) as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

Coming to the bowling department, SRH’s attack is one of the best, if not the best, bowling line-up in IPL 2017. The Purple Cap holder, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has taken 23 wickets so far at an economy rate of 7, has been the pick of the bowlers. He has bowled the tough overs – in the powerplay as well as the death – and has managed to pick up wickets more often than not to cut down the scoring rate.

Siddharth Kaul and Mohammed Siraj have been revelations for the side. They have supported Bhuvneshwar very well with the ball and managed to pick up a total of 21 wickets (15 for Kaul and 6 for Siraj) this season. Kaul has been absolutely phenomenal in the death overs, finishing off matches with the ball for SRH.

And then there is the young Afghan spinner, Rashid Khan, who has impressed one and all with his control and variations. Taking the place of Mustafizur, who had done wonders in the previous edition, Rashid has picked up 14 wickets so far and has the lowest economy rate amongst the top 10 wicket takers this season – 6.52.

His Afghanistan teammate Nabi has been in and out of the side, but his spell of 4-0-13-1 aginst MI in the last game will certainly hold him in good stead for the upcoming matches.

After the win against MI on Monday, SRH are currently 4^th on the points table, managing a total of 15 points, and with one more game to go, they would want to confirm their berth in the playoffs.

Here are some lesser known facts about this side from the eastern coast of India:

28 - The number of wickets taken by Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Hyderabad in the IPL – the most by any bowler.

19 - Number of runs conceded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar on two occasions against RPS this season.

535 - Number of runs scored by David Warner this season so far. He was the first batsman to reach the 500 run mark in IPL 2017.

1 – SRH have lost just one game this season at their home ground.

24 - The number of times Warner has scored 50 or more in the IPL – the most by any overseas player.

127.84 – The SR of Dhawan this season so far, his highest since 2013.

2 - The number of times Rashid Khan has gone wicketless in a match, both against DD.