IPL 8 Preview: David-reliant Sunrisers take on IPL’s Goliath, Super Kings
Sunrisers Hyderabad (bt KXIP)
What went right: Sunrisers Hyderabad brilliantly defended a modest 150 against Kings XI Punjab. The team management’s decision to play Trent Boult ahead of Dale Steyn stood vindicated. The Kiwi fast bowler was top-class, bowling with pace and swing upfront and then landing his yorkers perfectly at the death. He returned with 3/19 in his four overs and the Man of the Match award. Ashish Reddy’s eight-ball 22 not out was equally important. It gave his bowlers something to bowl at.
What went wrong: Captain David Warner alone is carrying Hyderabad batting. He had another half-century in the last game but, once again, was bereft of support at the other end. Maybe it’s time to bring back Eoin Morgan.
Chennai Super Kings (lost to KKR)
What’s going wrong: Chennai should be concerned about their successive middle-order collapses. They threw away good starts in their back-to-back fixtures against Kolkata Knight Riders. MS Dhoni is not quite in his element with the bat. He looked a little clueless when Piyush Chawla breached his defence in the last game. A marauder has become a grafter. Maybe it’s time for the Chennai captain to throw caution to the wind and take his team on a helicopter ride.
What went right: Pawan Negi. It was the first game for the 22-year-old left-arm spinner and he was replacing the irreplaceable; Ravichandran Ashwin. Negi had an excellent game, removing Manish Pandey and giving away only 23 runs in his four overs. He had gotten the better of Robin Uthappa as well, only that Dhoni missed the stumping opportunity.
Conclusion:
Chennai usually bounce back very well from defeats. Hyderabad should be prepared for a backlash.
