IPL 2018: How Sunrisers Hyderabad can line-up against the defending Champions

Sunrisers Hyderabad got their campaign in IPL 2018 off to a flyer, after a facile demolition of Rajasthan Royals at home, in the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday.

Restricting the visitors to a paltry tally of 125, Hyderabad wrapped up the chase with four overs still to go and losing just one wicket. But, it will be remembered for Shikhar Dhawan's unbeaten 78, smashing as many as 13 boundaries in the process.

Now, Mumbai Indians are up next, who were jolted in the opening game by Chennai Super Kings and would be aiming to bounce back into the contest.

So how will SRH line-up to counter the threat? Let's have a look:

---

Openers

Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson - The dynamic duo

Shikhar Dhawan

His incredible run in the limited overs format in 2018, continued in the IPL, as the southpaw opened his account for the season with an unbeaten 78, to single-handedly thrust his side over the line.

And having finished as the third highest run-getter last year, this was just the start he needed to launch another assault on the Orange Cap.

Wriddhiman Saha's disappointing spell as an opener means that 'Gabbar' would be pushed up the ranks to start the innings with Kane Williamson.

Kane Williamson

The New Zealand skipper played his part in the victory too, scoring 36 runs in 35 balls. But, for large stretches of the game, was left to watch Dhawan shoulder more of the scoring burden.

Nevertheless, it was a confident start by Williamson, who's also to be credited for sending the likes of D'Arcy Short and Ben Stokes back with a runout and a fine catch. He would love to see more of the ball this time around.

Middle-order

Deepak Hooda has a point to prove this year

Manish Pandey

Having witnessed the top three batsmen get the job done, Manish Pandey was left waiting in the wings. But this time around, the T20 specialist would be getting his crack at the whip (or the willow, rather) by getting down at No.3.

Deepak Hooda

The 22-year old sensation was a key figure in Hyderabad's 2016 triumph but, suffered a dip in form last year, which saw him rack up only 78 runs in 10 innings and pick two wickets.

In the opener against Rajasthan Royals too, he was a mere passenger; denied an opportunity with both bat and the ball. However, there's still no reason to see him drop to the bench and, would be raring to open his account for the season in this game.

Wriddhiman Saha

An upbeat Saha last month, said he can bat anywhere in the line-up. But after Monday's game, it looks like the top order might be a tall order for him.

His wicket for only 5 runs, gave Rajasthan some hope, till Shikhar Dhawan came along and squished the last bean of it.

As the wicketkeeper though, few can hold a candle to him when he's on song. He could be useful to provide stability down the middle-order, from where he's enjoyed some of his best spells.

All-rounders

Yusuf Pathan was a key member of KKR for many years

Yusuf Pathan

The dynamic all-rounder boasts an amazing record in the IPL, for being consistently well with the willow and the leather. With a strike rate of over 143 and almost 3000 runs in the IPL, Pathan has played in every season since the inception of the tournament in 2008, and thereby carries a lot of experience under his belt.

That might come handy against a Mumbai outfit looking to go all out here.

Shakib Al Hasan

One of the few players making the Bangladeshi contingent, Shakib has grown into a talisman for his national outfit over the years and, after watching his 2017 campaign curtailed, has already got his new season off to a wham with two wickets in the first match at an economy of only 5.75, picking up important scalps of danger hitters Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi.

He would be vital against Mumbai's strong batting order.

Bowlers

Rashid Khan is an important figure for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid Khan

The Afghan icon took to the rough and tumble of IPL, like a fish to water when he finished his maiden campaign last year with 17 wickets in 14 appearances, and bagged another one in the opener as he bamboozled Jos Buttler with his spin magic.

Hyderabad boasts one of the strongest bowling units in this season, and the 19-year old is instrumental to it.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Purple Cap holder of 2017 with an incredible 26 wickets, Kumar picked up from where he left off with his first one for the season against Rajasthan Royals.

The Meerut maestro can turn a tie on its head anytime with his pace and swing, and trouble even the most belligerent batting orders.

Billy Stanlake

The towering 23-year old was consistently among the wickets for Australia in February's Trans-Tasman series and replicated the form in the opener too. A wicket in four overs at an economy of 7.25 isn't that bad for someone as inexperienced to IPL as him.

But, given the riches of bowling talents in the roster, Stanlake would have to prove himself at every given opportunity. Or risk being dropped to the bench.

Siddharth Kaul

Hyderabad's best bowler in the first match was Siddharth Kaul, who also happened give away only 17 runs, in four overs for an encouraging economy rate of 4.25.

He picked up two wickets, the first of which was absolutely crucial as he restricted danger man Ajinkya Rahane to only 13.

These were just the glimpses of the rip-roaring form that propelled him to 16 wickets last year in 10 matches for Delhi Daredevils. And if that's any evidence to go by, he may be on course to replicate the same this term too.