IPL-7 on it's way, taking a look at Sunrisers Hyderabad

When the Indian Premier League was founded in 2008, eight franchisees came into the fray representing a specific Indian city and also, a different brand of cricket. Deccan Chargers, the team representing Hyderabad, were bought by South-based daily ‘The Deccan Chronicle.’ The team has undergone several changes since,with it getting defunct in 2012 because of the owning company’s financial crisis. Sun Network is now,the sole owner of this franchisee which is now known as the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Cricket Tracker brings you, a detailed preview of this team before IPL-7 gets underway:

Past performances in IPL: Deccan Chargers were considered,one of the strongest contenders when the tournament commenced in 2008. VVS Laxman,the former Indian batting stalwart was their captain while Aussie great Adam Gilchrist was roped in,as the wicketkeeper. The first season though was a disaster as they finished last in the league. What followed were a series of changes and Gilchrist led the team to an IPL triumph in IPL’09 held in South Africa with spirited performances from the likes of Symonds,Rohit Sharma and RP Singh. The next 3 seasons werent quite consequential for the team and the franchisee before it became defunct and re-bought with a different name by it’s new owner,Sun TV network. The Sunrisers had a good outing in the first IPL for the new franchisee,reaching the play-offs and ending at the fourth place.(Also read top 10 players to watch out for in IPL7)

Season|Place

2008 – Group stage

2009 – Champions

2010 – 4th place

2011 – Group stage

2012 – Group stage

2013 – 4th place

Strengths: The team is filled with stalwarts in all departments. Shikhar Dhawan,David Warner and Aaron Finch,make for the best looking top-order among all teams in the IPL,this season. With Sammy,Rasool and Irfan Pathan,the side’s star signing at the auction playing the all-rounders’ role, the team is full of match-winners that can turn any game on it’s head. The bowling attack has the perfect blend of variety,as the world’s number one fast bowler,Dale Steyn spearheads the attack along with Indian swing sensation Bhuvneswar Kumar giving him company. Amit Mishra, one of the finest bowlers in the IPL in terms of stats, will be crucial to their fortunes in the first leg of IPL-7 to be held on spin supportive UAE pitches.

Weaknesses: Lack of solidity in the middle-order can hurt this team’s composition to a great extent. Over-reliability on the top-order and the unavailability of a quality wicketkeeper-batsman with only Naman Ojha and Brendan Taylor being good enough with the gloves. The bowling too,can be hammered after being dealt with the pace of Steyn,swing of Kumar and the loops of Mishra. Ishant Sharma’s indifferent form and the lack of another quality spinner in the side will be a cause of concern for the team management. Shikhar Dhawan’s reputation as a captain is still in doubt considering his inexperience of leading a team and his own recent form.

X Factors: Shikhar Dhawan- Being the captain of the team,his role as an opener becomes even more important. His knocks at the top of the order will be important for the team’s confidence and being the aggressive player he is, he can single-handedly win matches on his day.(Also read Shikhar Dhawan named Wisden cricketer of the year)

Darren Sammy: His performances in the recent WT20 is a matter to cheer for,for the franchisee, and his slogging ability in the final overs might,as well define the team’s road to success.

Irfan Pathan: This pace-bowling all-rounder will be important to the team’s fortune after some breathtaking performances in the domestic T20 championship,Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy. His cameos at the end can be crucial too.

Amit Mishra: The recent WT20 in Bangladesh would have done a world of good to the leggie’s bowling. His reinvention on the big stage should augur well and his performances in the first leg on UAE’s spin aiding surfaces should surely be a delight to any cricket lover.

Squad:

Batsmen: Shikhar Dhawan,Aaron Finch,David Warner, Venugopal Rao, Manpreet Juneja, Ricky Bhui and Srikanth Aniruddha

All-Rounders: Parvez Rasool, Irfan Pathan, Karan Sharma, Darren Sammy and Moises Henriques

Wicketkeepers: Naman Ojha, Brendan Taylor, Lokesh Rahul and Amit Paunikar

Bowlers: Dale Steyn,Ashish Reddy, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneswar Kumar, Jason Holder,Chama Milind and Prasanth Parameswaram.

Cricket Tracker SAYs: The IPL,being a long and tiring tournament, the team lacks depth in the bowling in case,an injury or two occurs in the midst of the season. With almost nobody to provide solidity to the middle and Dhawan’s lack in form recently doesn’t augur well for the team on the whole. Although,nothing can be predicted in IPL because of it’s complexities, this team can,at best reach the playoffs and end up at the 3rd place. A place in the final or winning silverware looks like a distant dream at the moment.