IPL 2018: 5 lessons that SRH taught us

After one and a half months of exciting cricket, the Indian Premier League finally came to an end on Sunday (May 27, 2018). While some players and teams performed way better than expectations, others would be looking to enter the tournament with a bang next year and make the most of this wonderful platform.

Prior to the beginning of the cricketing action in April, when experts and former cricketers were busy picking up their top 4 teams based purely on the squad on paper- one team was present in almost all the lists- the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although other teams, that were backed by many experts, like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore had a disappointing season, SRH went on to make their way into the finals and it was the team to beat for a major part in the tournament.

The way SRH went about their campaign was special. Hyderabad was by no means a perfect side and had their share of limitations as a team but SRH did not let those imperfections become insurmountable hurdles for themselves and always found a way to win.

Here is a look at 5 lessons that SRH's campaign taught us.

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#1 Team is bigger than individuals

Bhuvi did not perform as well this year

SRH is one team that is not at all flamboyant. It does not boast of players who want to be the center of all attention. Although it consists of the likes of Kane Williamson, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Shakib Al Hasan, none of them wear an aura or have a crazy stardom like a Virat or an AB de Villiers. Yet there is something about SRH that stands out.

It goes on to show that the team SRH is way bigger than individual players who make up the team. As a unit, SRH standouts because they have specialists who might not appear as big T20 names but are excellent players even in this format.

SRH had a well-balanced side and knew their limitations pretty well. That is why in tough situations, SRH could still manage a comeback, backing their own strengths and having dedicated team players in the squad that helped their cause and brand of cricket.

SRH’s campaign showed us clearly that the team is bigger than the individuals and one might not have a jaw-dropping name in this format but could still make a good side.

#2 Hard-working, soft-spoken, good-natured men can also excel

SRH mentor VVS Laxman

SRH squad and support staff, comprising the likes of Kane Williamson, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, VVS Laxman, Muralitharan, do not make for the most flamboyant or loud team. Instead, all of these men prefer to take care of their cricket and even in intense situations keep their focus on cricket.

At a time when the intensity and aggression of somebody like a Virat Kohli is appreciated, having a calm head on the shoulder, a player who does not like to showcase emotions and soak all the pressure in instead of taking it out on the opposition is a rare entity to have in your team and SRH had many such characters.

One should be dedicated towards one’s job and until the performance is talking for you, there is no need to do anything else on the cricket field. Cricket’s "good boys" had a fantastic season and without making much noise about their work, went on to make a place for themselves in the finals.

#3 Never put labels on individuals

Williamson, who is often seen as a Test Specialist, had a remarkable season

Until IPL 2017, Williamson was not even a regular member of the SRH squad as he did not seem to fit the “balance” of the team. However, come 2018, Williamson, who is often seen as a Test Specialist, suddenly became SRH’s choice for the captain in the absence of David Warner.

Experts and commentators argued that perhaps Warner, the batsman, might be missed, but Williamson had other ideas. Williamson grabbed the orange cap for the season with over 700 runs and Warner was neither missed as a captain nor as a batsman as the so-called "Test specialist" silently scored a mountain of runs and led his team all the way to the finals with some smart moves.

#4 T20 is not always a batsman’s game

Rashid Khan won many a game for SRH on the back of his mystery spin

While most successful limited overs teams in the world are built around batsmen, given the domination of batting in the sport, SRH think tank wanted to build their team around the bowlers.

“While batsmen might win you one or two games here and there, it is the bowlers that win you tournaments”, said Laxman. And true it is, in a battle of batsmen vs batsmen it is the bowlers who make a difference.

Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Basil Thampi, Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul- Williamson had a dream bowling attack, an attack in which everybody was capable of turning the match on its head.

As it turned out, SRH indeed reached the finals, primarily on the back of their bowling performances and only when their bowlers struggled, did SRH lost a bit of direction in the tournament, losing 4 games in a row.

#5 Seize the opportunity

Shikhar Dhawan got into form at the right time

SRH was full of players that went out there and seized every single opportunity that came their way. Williamson grabbed the opportunity to lead the side in absence of David Warner and did not give a single reason to complain.

Dhawan too grabbed his chance after Williamson persisted with him during his bad run. When Bhuvi didn’t play because of an injury, other bowlers stepped up to the occasion and did not let his absence affect the team’s performance.

Thereby SRH gave an important message of making the most of the chances that one gets. If everyone understands their role in the team to perfection, the team sport becomes fairly simple.