IPL 2018, SWOT Analysis of Sunrisers Hyderabad

Before the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League began, the Sunrisers Hyderabad were not the favorites to win the competition because of the absence of David Warner, who had been barred from playing the event due to the suspension imposed by Cricket Australia for his involvement in the Sandpaper gate incident.

While they did have other quality players in their squad, there was a general perception that Warner's impact would be missed and could harm their chances.

But heading into the Playoffs, the side have proven everyone wrong and they have the chance to go into the final stages as table-toppers. Here's a look at what has worked for them and what they could improve:

#1 Strengths

To finish in a sentence: Top-order batting, Sidharth Kaul and Rashid Khan

In the previous seasons, Shikhar Dhawan has always played second fiddle to Warner, but in his absence, the Indian left-hander has risen to the occasion, amassing 437 runs in 13 matches at a strike-rate of 139.

However, it is his captain - Kane Williamson - who has taken his T20 batting to another notch, with a whopping 661 runs at a fine strike-rate of 143. It was known before this IPL that the Kiwi was a terrific red ball player, who could hold the innings together in white-ball cricket.

However, with the Sunrisers, the right-hander has displayed a wide range of strokes, by opting for a more conventional mode of batting rather than looking to slog and that has worked very well.

With the ball, two men have stood out for the franchise - Sidharth Kaul with 17 wickets in 14 matches and Rashid Khan with 16 scalps in the same number of games.

These four, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will be vital for the Sunrisers if they are to win their second title in three years.

#2 Weaknesses

Can Manish Pandey deliver the goods on Tuesday?

With Dhawan and Williamson scoring the bulk of the runs at the top, the middle-order has barely got the opportunity to get a decent crack.

Manish Pandey made a half-century against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, but barring that, he has had an IPL to forget. The likes of Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan and others, too, have not notched up the scores which would give the management the hope that if the side were to lose both Dhawan and Williamson early, these guys could step in and deliver.

For their sake, Tom Moody and co. would hope they would not have to face a situation like that in the first Qualifier on Tuesday.

#3 Opportunities

Can this man step up on the big day?

The middle-order of the Sunrisers Hyderabad have the opportunity on Tuesday to stand up and be counted to help their side enter the finals of the 2018 IPL.

If Pandey can show that his performance against RCB was not a one-off and he has indeed struck form, then he could make a difference with the bat, as could the likes of Pathan, Shakib and others.

The Qualifier also presents an opportunity for Bhuvneshwar, who has been rested regularly by the franchise to step up and deliver in a vital phase of the competition. The seamer has evolved terrifically during his time with the side and along with Kaul and Rashid, his performance will be vital if the side are to progress through to the final two.

#4 Threats

What if they fall early?

Top order batting has been the backbone for Sunrisers this year and they would hope either of Dhawan or Williamson keeps their form going. But if both fall early, then it would be interesting to see how they recover. It will be imperative for them to ensure that either of those two plays the big knock on the big occasion.

In a small ground like the Wankhede Stadium, bowling at the death becomes vital and so the Sunrisers will hope the likes of Bhuvneshwar, Kaul and others step up at the last stages of the innings and restrict the opposition batting line-up.