SRH's IPL Journey Ends After Washout Against DC: Insights from Sanjay Bangar

SRH's Disappointing Exit from IPL

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 6: Following a rain-affected match against Delhi Capitals (DC), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has been eliminated from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar commented on the performance of skipper Pat Cummins, who consistently bowled hard lengths, securing three wickets that significantly weakened the DC batting lineup.

Last season, SRH had a stellar run, showcasing an impressive T20 style led by Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. However, this year, their aggressive tactics did not yield the desired results, leading to their exit with only three victories out of 11 matches and numerous disappointing performances.

During a discussion on 'Match Centre Live' on JioHotstar, Bangar highlighted Cummins' opportunity to shine after Mohammed Shami was left out. He noted, "It was beneficial for Cummins that Shami was unavailable, allowing him to take the new ball. Initially, he might have anticipated Shami to lead the attack, which could have restrained him. But today was his chance to shine. He consistently bowled hard lengths without attempting to swing the ball, resulting in three vital early wickets."

Shami's performance this season has been underwhelming, with only six wickets in nine matches at an average of 56.16 and an economy rate of 11.23. In contrast, Cummins has performed better, claiming 13 wickets at an average of 27.92 and an economy rate of 9.15, with his best figures being 3/19.

Reflecting on SRH's season, Bangar suggested that the team needs to reassess their approach moving forward, as their high-risk strategy may not always be effective. He stated, "This season has been challenging for SRH. They began strongly, scoring over 280 in their opening match, possibly leading them to believe that their aggressive style would be successful throughout. However, such a high-risk approach does not guarantee consistent results. When the batters are performing well, it looks fantastic, but when they struggle, the team faces significant challenges, which is where SRH currently stands."

Bangar concluded by expressing hope for SRH fans, noting that this is the first year of a new cycle for the team. He remarked, "It’s unfortunate for the fans, especially since Hyderabad has become a lively venue. The supporters have shown tremendous loyalty, and we hope they will have more positive experiences in future seasons."

In the match, after being reduced to 29/5, contributions from Tristan Stubbs (41* off 36 balls, including four boundaries) and Ashutosh Sharma (41 off 26 balls, with two fours and three sixes) helped DC reach 133/7. Unfortunately, SRH could not chase the target as the match was abandoned due to rain.

Currently, DC holds the fifth position with six wins, four losses, and one no result, totaling 13 points. Meanwhile, SRH is in eighth place with three wins, seven losses, and one no result, accumulating seven points.