Last year’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad have released a big player this season, but have brought in two international stars, and they will once again enter the tournament as one of the favourites.
Sunrisers Hyderabad profile
Captain: Kane Williamson
Home ground: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
Owners: Kalanithi Maran (Sun TV Network)
Past results: 2018: Finalists; 2017: Play-offs (4th place); 2016: Champions; 2015: 6th; 2014: 6th; 2013: Play-offs (4th place);
IPL titles: One
VIEW SUNRISERS HYDERABAD TEAM PROFILE
The lowdown
Sunrisers Hyderabad, formed in 2013, have been one of the more consistent performers in recent editions of the IPL, having won the tournament in 2016 and finishing as runners-up in 2018. With the T20 format best known for the batsmen hitting the balls out of the park, Hyderabad have typically relied on their brilliant bowling attack on their success.
Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan and India pacer Bhuvenshwar Kumar know how to trouble the opposition’s batsmen. With these two leading the charge alongside the likes Billy Stanlake and Khaleel Ahmed, and spinners in Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Nabi, who both also fall in the all-rounder category, Hyderabad will once again bank on their bowling unit in 2019.
In Warner’s absence last season, the New Zealander led the charge and under his captaincy, Hyderabad finished as runners-up. Not only did he lead his side to the final, but he also finished the tournament as the highest run-getter. His 735 runs came at an average of 52.50 and featured eight half-centuries.
Sunrisers Hyderabad squad
Kane Williamson, David Warner, Manish Pandey, Martin Guptill, Ricky Bhui, Shreevats Goswami, Wriddhiman Saha, Jonny Bairstow, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Yusuf Pathan, Rashid Khan, Abhishek Sharma, Mohammad Nabi, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul, Basin Thampi, Sandeep Sharma
Wisden prediction
Finalists. Hyderabad’s bowling attack will once again hold the key. They should reach the play-offs, and are one of the favourites to reach the final.
