Sunrisers Hyderabad's Batting Might Tested After Loss to Delhi Capitals
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), known for their aggressive batting approach and aspiration to become the first team to score 300 in the IPL, suffered a seven-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vishakapatnam. While they maintain their strategy, the recent setback raises questions about their consistency.
A Look at SRH's Recent Performance
- Early Promise: SRH began their IPL 2025 campaign with a victory, showcasing their characteristic attacking style.
- Recent Struggles: However, they have since lost two consecutive matches, signaling a potential shift in momentum.
- Vishakapatnam Defeat: The latest loss to DC highlighted vulnerabilities despite their aggressive intent.
Match Details: SRH vs DC
- Scorecard Summary: SRH were bowled out for 163, while DC chased down the target with seven wickets in hand.
- Early Wickets: SRH lost four wickets within the powerplay, quickly putting them on the back foot.
- Aniket Verma's Standout Performance: Despite the early setbacks, Aniket Verma’s quickfire 74 (41 balls) provided a much-needed boost to the SRH innings.
Cummins' Perspective on the Approach
SRH captain Pat Cummins acknowledged the challenges but defended the team’s attacking strategy.
'We just never really got going,' Cummins said. 'Aniket gave us a score, but we lost a few early wickets. I think not all of them are bad shots. It happens.'
He emphasized that a combination of factors, including a run-out and edges going to the boundary, contributed to the team's downfall.
The Key Battle: Starc vs. Head
One of the anticipated highlights of the match was the clash between Travis Head and Mitchell Starc.
- Previous Encounters: Before today's match, Starc had dismissed Head five times in just 29 balls across all formats, scoring only eight runs in total.
- Head's Initial Success: Head started strongly, hitting Starc for back-to-back fours in the first over.
- Starc's Turning Point: However, Starc's third over proved crucial as Head gloved a ramp shot, leading to his dismissal.
Axar Patel's Tactical Move
DC captain Axar Patel's decision to give Starc a third over in the powerplay proved to be a masterstroke.
'The plan [generally] is that I will bowl two overs [of Starc] at the start and two at the death,' Axar said. 'But the situation was such that he was in rhythm, he had already given us two wickets, they [SRH] had lost three wickets. So I was thinking that in this over, I know what the opponent is going to do – they were going to attack. If we get a wicket, we could close the game. That was the plan and it was successful.'
Starc's Adaptation and Performance
Starc, who was named Player of the Match for his outstanding figures of 5 for 35, highlighted the importance of adaptability in modern T20 cricket.
'I've played for long enough that I think guys obviously know what I'm trying to do,' Starc said. 'You've got to try and think of different ways or outside-the-box ways to be effective in T20 cricket these days. Even as an older player, you've still got to try and find new balls or find different ways to try and get batters out.'
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is SRH’s batting strategy? A: SRH adopts an aggressive, attacking batting strategy aiming for quick runs and high scores.
Q: Why did SRH lose against DC? A: A combination of early wickets, a crucial turning point by Axar Patel, and the performance of Starc led to SRH’s loss.
Q: What does this loss mean for SRH's campaign? A: While it's a setback, SRH can still recover and adjust their approach for the remainder of the tournament.