Sunrisers Hyderabad Coach Praises Young Spinner Harsh Dubey Amid IPL Challenges

In a challenging start to the IPL 2026 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad's head coach Daniel Vettori praised young spinner Harsh Dubey as a vital asset for the team. Despite facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Dubey's impressive performance, including a crucial wicket, stood out. Vettori also highlighted the batting unit's resilience, recovering from early setbacks to post a competitive total. As SRH prepares for their next match against Kolkata Knight Riders, the team's confidence and potential are evident.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 29, 2026, 13:20 IST

Praise for Harsh Dubey

Daniel Vettori, the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has expressed high regard for young spinner Harsh Dubey, labeling him as a "real asset" for the team this season. This commendation comes as SRH faced a challenging start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 journey against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday.

Dubey, a left-arm spinner, showcased his skills on a difficult pitch, managing to secure a crucial wicket by dismissing Devdutt Padikkal, who had put SRH under pressure with a rapid 61 runs off just 26 balls.

Vettori's Confidence in Dubey

"Over the past year, he has been outstanding in both red- and white-ball formats," Vettori remarked, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. "We were lucky to acquire him towards the end of last year; he could have been a top pick in this season's auction. He is a smart bowler, and spinning here is quite challenging."

"The ground is small, and the pitch can be tough, even for seasoned players like Krunal Pandya. Seeing Dubey come in today, grasp what was required, and take the vital wicket of Padikkal was impressive. While there are areas for improvement, I believe he will be a significant contributor for us this season."

Positives from Batting Performance

Despite the loss, Vettori highlighted the positives from SRH's batting display, which rebounded well after losing three early wickets during the power play. A pivotal 97-run partnership between Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen helped stabilize the innings, with Aniket Verma's late surge bringing the total to a competitive 201.

"We have immense faith in our batting lineup. Aniket's ability to come in at number seven and still play aggressively was crucial in setting a defendable total," Vettori stated. "We don't expect Abhi and Trav to perform every match; we rely on the entire batting unit. The top seven is incredibly talented, and reaching 200 after a rocky start demonstrates their quality."

"They are confident in their ability to play aggressively, understanding that high scores are essential in today's IPL, where they play a dominant role."

Upcoming Match

Next, SRH will face off against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday at Eden Gardens.