Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) showed glimpses of improvement by restricting Delhi Capitals to 133 for 7. However, rain halted the match in Hyderabad, dealing a blow to their dwindling hopes of reaching the playoffs. Even a clean sweep of their remaining matches would only get them to 13 points, while four teams have already reached 14 or more.
“That was an improved performance, but sometimes it’s a little bit too late,” noted former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin on ESPNcricinfo Time Out. “I think it probably took them halfway through the tournament to realise that their approach with the bat might not necessarily have to be similar to what worked last year.”
Last season, SRH’s aggressive batting strategy carried them to the finals, sparking pre-season discussions on their potential to become the first team in IPL history to surpass 300 in an innings. Their campaign began with great promise, recording 286 for 6 against Rajasthan Royals. But the tactics soon misfired.
“There will definitely be some soul searching because you have to put into the equation what conditions dictate to you,” remarked Varun Aaron during the show. “You can’t be like, ‘You know, we’re going to play one style.’ Because if conditions don’t support you, you’re going to be found wanting, which they have been this year.”
Aaron highlighted teams like Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) as models of adaptability, saying, “They have the players to combat conditions. They have two or three options in any condition given to them, but Sunrisers, if the conditions didn’t favour them, were always found wanting as a batting unit.”
Following the DC clash, SRH head coach Daniel Vettori acknowledged the challenging batting conditions in Hyderabad, which were not as anticipated.
“This is like the theme of the IPL – isn’t it? – give us the wicket we want,” Martin commented. “But I think you have to be able to adjust to the conditions. We’ve said that all year; the best teams have managed that. It’s built around personnel who can control the middle overs.”
Martin also mentioned how bowlers have adapted to key SRH batsmen. “[Heinrich] Klaasen has struck and struck alright. Ishan [Kishan] and Abhishek [Sharma] had those big hundreds, but bowlers have figured out how to counter them. I think the more exposure they’ve got, the more they understand how to bowl to them. Being heavily reliant on conditions, I don’t believe SRH batters adjusted as well.”
Sunrisers Hyderabad are now at a critical juncture in this year’s IPL, needing reflection and recalibration to return to their past form and success.
