IPL 2018: VVS Laxman urges for better performance from the middle order

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won the 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by beating the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) under the leadership of David Warner. They were clinical in all departments and turned out to be too hot to handle for the oppositions.

The franchise also qualified for the playoffs in the next season, however, they couldn’t travel the distance.  The middle-order dished out some mediocre performances in both seasons. While the openers and the bowlers bailed them out in 2016, the task to cover the shortcomings of the middle-order turned out to be too tough for them.

“Have some of the best names”- Laxman

However, they have roped in some useful players like Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan which will definitely strengthen their batting. Meanwhile, VVS Laxman, the coach of the Sunrisers expressed his satisfaction over drafting in some utility players to address their middle-order woes.

“But, thanks to the auction, we have some of the best names like Yusuf Pathan [and] Manish Pandey, to name a few, who have the experience and the ability to raise the bar. This time around, we ensured that we have [batsmen] who can do well in the middle-overs and finish off the games in the death overs” Laxman was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Meanwhile, the former Indian all-rounder has also set his eyes on their opening home matches against the Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. “Yes, we hope to get off to a winning start in the first two games at home. A ground (Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Uppal) which we know so well and hope the orange army band of supporters will be there in full strength to cheer us as wholeheartedly as they have been doing till now,” he added.

Here is the updated SRH squad

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