Sunrisers Hyderabad Coach Daniel Vettori Stresses Need for Improvement After IPL Defeat

Vettori's Support for Batters Amid Struggles

In Hyderabad, head coach Daniel Vettori of Sunrisers Hyderabad has expressed his unwavering support for his aggressive batters, despite their recent disappointing performance against the Gujarat Titans. He emphasized the necessity for his players to acknowledge the pitch conditions and recognize that opposing bowlers are meticulously strategizing against their top order.

The Sunrisers faced their fourth consecutive loss in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with their batting lineup failing to deliver once again. They managed to score only 152 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The Titans, in response, chased down the target effortlessly in just 16.4 overs, winning by seven wickets.

Vettori remarked during the post-match press conference, "We understand our style can be effective, but we must respect the conditions and assess them accurately. This is an area where we have fallen short. Additionally, we need to acknowledge the quality of bowling from other teams, who have been strategically targeting our top three batters, and we have not executed our plans effectively at times."

He noted that the pitch on Sunday was not typical for Hyderabad, describing it as slow and challenging, which made it difficult for the batters to achieve their target of 160-170 runs.

"The players recognized that the wicket was tough, and our assessment indicated that a score of 160-170 would be competitive, which was our expectation at the start of the match. We believed that if our batters could settle in, form partnerships, and then attack towards the end, we would be close to that target," he explained.

Vettori added, "We needed an additional 20 runs to apply pressure and then bowl effectively. However, the Titans demonstrated a clear understanding of what was required to succeed."

The Sunrisers had a strong start to their campaign, scoring 286 runs against the Rajasthan Royals in their opening match. However, they have since struggled to maintain that momentum, with performances that have been inconsistent.

Despite the four consecutive losses, Vettori does not believe there is a need to panic within the team. He acknowledges the seriousness of their situation and the importance of returning to winning form in their upcoming matches.

"I don’t think Pat [Cummins] has ever panicked, and I’m quite similar. However, we are aware of the consequences of losing four matches in a row and how challenging it makes the season. It’s tough, especially after entering the season with high hopes following our runner-up finish last year and a strong start," he stated.

Vettori noted, "We have not performed at our best in the last four games across all three disciplines. A key indicator of a team's performance is their fielding, and we have not been up to par in that area. These are the aspects we need to work on before our next game against Punjab. If we can find our rhythm, we still have the potential to be a strong team; we just need to perform better."

While much attention has been on the Sunrisers' struggling batting unit this season, Vettori believes the team needs improvement in all areas of the game.

"We have not been able to synchronize our efforts in a match. Last year, our skills allowed us to post significant scores and then defend them effectively. However, we have struggled to compile those big scores this season due to various factors," he added.

"The positive aspect of the IPL is the quick turnaround between matches, providing opportunities for individual brilliance and team success. There is still some confidence within the batting group, but now it’s crucial for the entire team to step up," he concluded.