IPL 2018: 3 factors that have helped SRH in defending low totals

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has brought twists and turns that have forced the fans to be on the edge of their seats: from low scoring thrillers to wonderful chases, this year's IPL has witnessed many last-over finishes till now. The Chennai Super Kings have been successful in chasing mammoth totals whereas the Sunrisers Hyderabad have been successful in defending low totals. The Kane Williamson led-side are currently enjoying their time at the number two spot in the league table.

The Sunrisers were the strongest side on paper, but David Warner's absence from the league came as a setback to the orange army. The franchise from the South had to look for an opener and a skipper to lead them from the front. Their problems further increased with the injury of a few pacers but the Orange Army did not lose hope.

They brought their young guns to force and relied on them to restrict the opposition. How have they mastered this art of defending low totals? Have a look at the three factors which have helped the Hyderabad to rise with their bowling performance.

#3 Charismatic captain

The Sunrisers skipper Kane Williamson has led from the front, both with the bat and in the field. He has guided his team to glory with his timely instincts and motivating words. The Sunrisers were in a spot of bother when the decision of Warner's ban came out but the New Zealand skipper changed Hyderabad's course by leading them for the first time in his IPL career.

Williamson has been brilliant on the field with his bowling changes, fielding placements and his approach to captaincy. The Kiwi skipper has followed his heart and has been defensive and attacking at the required times. His motivating words from mid-off or mid-on have helped his bowlers to deliver something magical as they have done in the previous two games.

#2 Positive approach and fielding

SRH has been positive despite a few injuries

The Sunrisers have been positive in every possible situation. After scoring a meagre 118, most franchises would have their heads down, their energy levels would sink to a new low but that has not been the case with this franchise, who have held their heads high in every game. Their positive response to situations has been a thing to look forward to, their support staff which has the likes of VVS Laxman and Muttiah Muralidharan has helped the side to rise from down below.

Their ground fielding has been exceptional at times but they have struggled a little with their catching. They have saved runs at every position, with some athletic fielders like Manish Pandey and Kane Williamson. Amidst this, the Orange Army will look to better their catching during the second innings. The dew factor in the second innings might be the reason for their poor catching.

#1 Bowlers taking the responsibility

The bowlers have been the

centre

of attraction

"A batsman will win you games but a bowler will win you tournaments".

The Sunrisers have relied heavily on their bowlers in this tournament. Their batting has taken a setback after Warner's absence, they are dependant on the duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson, who have scored the majority of Hyderabad's runs in this season. The batsmen have failed without the duo and the bowlers have been the centre of attraction with their match-winning performances.

Despite missing Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Billy Stanlake, the SRH bowlers pulled off two miraculous victories in their last two encounters. Their young pacers, Sandeep Sharma, Basil Thampi and Siddharth Kaul bowled wonderfully, while Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Shakib Al Hasan have handled the spin department. The bowlers have made it tough for Captain Williamson to bring back Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the lineup.

They will look to attain the first place in the league table after their emphatic bowling performances.