IPL 2020: Strengths and Weaknesses of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

A fiery pace bowling, the highlight as we look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for IPL 2020.

Just as I started writing this article, Sunrisers Hyderabad announced the good news that the IPL 2016 winning captain, David Warner would lead the SRH side for IPL 2020. To recap, Warner was banned from playing in IPL 2018. He then played IPL 2019 under the leadership of Williamson and Bhuvneshwar. 

To be honest, this is a superb decision by the team management as David Warner is not only a potent leader, but him becoming the captain also solves the issue of prioritizing the four overseas players based on the pitch conditions. While Williamson is a potent leader himself, it is the overseas balance that could affect with him being the captain. 

Come to IPL 2020, SRH did make a few interesting choices before and during the auction. First, they released the lowest numbers of players before the auction, and then focused more on the youth to buy the services of Priyam Garg, Virat Singh, Abdul Samad, Sandeep Bavanaka, and Sanjay Yadav. 

So, have the Sunrisers Hyderabad finally got the squad to have a shot at their second trophy? Let’s analyze the squad, and look at the strengths and weakness(es) of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for IPL 2020. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad for IPL 2020: 

Batsmen	Abdul Samad, David Warner, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Priyam Garg, Shreevats Goswami (WK), Virat Singh, and Wriddhiman Saha (WK)
All-rounders	Abhishek Sharma, Fabian Allen, Mitchell Marsh, Mohammad Nabi, Sandeep Bavanaka, Sanjay Yadav, and Vijay Shankar
Bowlers	Basil Thampi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, Khaleel Ahmed, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Siddharth Kaul, and T Natarajan

Strengths of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for IPL 2020:

#1: The Dynamic Opening Pair  

IPL 2019 saw Sunrisers Hyderabad opening with a completely new batting pair of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. While David Warner was making a comeback after a year-long ban, Jonny Bairstow was making his IPL debut.

Both gave Sunrisers n number of reasons to celebrate as the duo kept piling runs, match after match. In all, they could manage four 100+ partnerships and three 50+ partnerships in the 10 innings they played together. Individually, Warner and Bairstow scored 692 and 445 runs respectively, which is excellent. 

These two would once again be the backbone of the SRH batting squad. The team would once again rely on them to provide quality starts, and would hope for Bairstow to play all the matches in IPL 2020, unlike last time where he played only 10 matches.

#2: A Potent Pace Department 

Basil Thampi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma,  Siddharth Kaul, and T Natarajan. Sunrisers Hyderabad have pacers in not just in quantity, but also in quality. They have such varied combinations of pacers that they can afford to pick and choose any player they want basis on the situation they are in.

Looking from the outset, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Sandeep Sharma shall be their prime pacers. Siddharth Kaul, who had a below-par outing in IPL 2019 will act as an important backup. Moreover, It will be interesting to see how SRH utilize Billy Stanlake in this Indian pacers dominated bowling line-up. 

Additionally, SRH have a fairly decent spin department, that is led by Rashid Khan, and equally backed by Mohammad Nabi, Abhishek Sharma, and Shahbaz Nadeem. The all-rounders are fairly decent with the likes of Vijay Shankar, Mohammad Nabi, Abhishek Sharma, Mitchell Marsh, and Fabian Allen. 

Weakness(es) of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for IPL 2020:

While Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) do have some solid strengths in their armory, they do have a weakness that could cause a hurdle in IPL 2020. 

#1: Fragile Middle-order 

Not as bad as the RCB, but Sunrisers Hyderabad too have a fragile and inexperienced middle-order. Barring Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey, they will have to rely on Priyam Garg, Virat Singh, and Vijay Shankar to complete the rest of the middle-order. 

To be honest, Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey at 3 and 4/5 do cover-up for a fragile middle-order. But, ineffective Vijay Shankar at 6, Williamson’s lack of surety in playing all the matches, and Priyam Garg and Virat Singh’s inexperience makes the middle-order look fragile.

If Priyam Garg, Virat Singh, and Vijay Shankar play to their potential, SRH’s major headache would be off the cards; thus giving them a better chance to have a shot at the trophy. If not, Williamson and Pandey would have to do the bulk of the scoring, which can mount unnecessary pressure. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Sunrisers Hyderabad would be boosted by the leadership of David Warner. If they can get the best out of the inexperienced middle-order then SRH’s chances look bright to have a shot at their second trophy. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) strongest predicted playing 11 for IPL 2020:

David Warner, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Priyam Garg, Kane Williamson (C), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, and Khaleel Ahmed.

Thanks for reading! What is your view on the strengths of SRH for IPL 2020? Please, let’s know in the comments. 

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ALSO READ: IPL 2020: Strongest Predicted 11 of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

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