IPL 2018: How Sunrisers Hyderabad can line-up against the defending Champions

Bowlers

Rashid Khan is an important figure for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid Khan

The Afghan icon took to the rough and tumble of IPL, like a fish to water when he finished his maiden campaign last year with 17 wickets in 14 appearances, and bagged another one in the opener as he bamboozled Jos Buttler with his spin magic.

Hyderabad boasts one of the strongest bowling units in this season, and the 19-year old is instrumental to it.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Purple Cap holder of 2017 with an incredible 26 wickets, Kumar picked up from where he left off with his first one for the season against Rajasthan Royals.

The Meerut maestro can turn a tie on its head anytime with his pace and swing, and trouble even the most belligerent batting orders.

Billy Stanlake

The towering 23-year old was consistently among the wickets for Australia in February's Trans-Tasman series and replicated the form in the opener too. A wicket in four overs at an economy of 7.25 isn't that bad for someone as inexperienced to IPL as him.

But, given the riches of bowling talents in the roster, Stanlake would have to prove himself at every given opportunity. Or risk being dropped to the bench.

Siddharth Kaul

Hyderabad's best bowler in the first match was Siddharth Kaul, who also happened give away only 17 runs, in four overs for an encouraging economy rate of 4.25.

He picked up two wickets, the first of which was absolutely crucial as he restricted danger man Ajinkya Rahane to only 13.

These were just the glimpses of the rip-roaring form that propelled him to 16 wickets last year in 10 matches for Delhi Daredevils. And if that's any evidence to go by, he may be on course to replicate the same this term too.