IPL 2019: 3 Mistakes Sunrisers Hyderabad made this season

IPL 2019 was a mixed season for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Some stellar performances from David Warner and Jonny Bairstow and Kolkata Knight Riders poor display in their last league game against Mumbai Indians earned them a berth in the playoffs. However, their happiness was short lived as they lost against Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator.

The Sunrisers have one of the best think tanks in the competition with the likes of Tom Moody, Muttiah Muralitharan and VVS Laxman in their ranks. However, they have been guilty of taking some ordinary decisions this season which has led to their downfall. Through the course of this article, we take a look at the 3 mistakes Sunrisers Hyderabad made.

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#1 Preferring Vijay Shankar over Manish Pandey at No.3

Manish Pandey was in sublime form and scored 290 runs in the last 6 matches.

Manish Pandey came into the IPL with a truck load of runs under his belt. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the stylish right-hander scored 331 runs in 8 innings at a staggering average of 66.2 and was instrumental in Karnataka's title triumph. This was going to be his season until Sunrisers Hyderabad decided to push him down the order.

Vijay Shankar who has been a finisher throughout his career was preferred over in form Pandey at No.3. This resulted in dire consequences for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Vijay Shankar at No.3 looked like a fish out of water and Manish Pandey failed to find his rhythm down the order and was eventually dropped from the side.

Sunrisers Hyderabad realized their mistake nearly towards the completion of the tournament. Manish Pandey was given a chance at No.3 and he did not disappoint this time. The flamboyant Karnataka batsman was in sublime form in the last 6 encounters and scored 290 runs at an average of 72.5 but it was all too late.

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#2 Excluding Khaleel Ahmed from the side during the first half of the season

Khaleel Ahmed with 19 wickets in 9 games ended as Sunrisers Hyderabad's highest wicket-taker this season.

Khaleel Ahmed has impressed one and all in his short international career for India and has quickly established his reputation as a wicket-taker. The speedsters exclusion from the side during the early phase of the tournament sent shock waves around the entire cricketing world.

Khaleel picked up 3 wickets against Delhi Capitals in his first game this season and has not looked back since. He finished off the season with 19 wickets in 9 matches and was Hyderabad's most lethal weapon.

Sunrisers Hyderabad made a huge mistake by not including him in the side during the first half of the tournament. Khaleel being a left-arm seamer would have added variety to the bowling attack and could have changed SRH's fortunes.

#3 Not opening with Kane Williamson after Bairstow's departure

Kane Williamson has failed to find form this season

Kane Williamson was the orange cap holder in IPL 2018 with 735 runs in 17 matches. The Kiwi skipper opened the batting for SRH in all the games and played a pivotal role in his team's successful campaign.

However, the batting maestro has been in woeful form this season and has managed to score only 156 runs in 9 matches for his team. Injury concerns and batting in the middle order have been the reasons for his poor form.

After Bairstow's departure, Sunrisers Hyderabad preferred Saha over Williamson at the top of the order which was probably a tactical blunder. Williamson has the ability to play match winning knocks and was SRH's batting linchpin last season. However, he takes his time initially and therefore is not suited to bat in the middle order.

Martin Guptill's aggressive stroke play and Kane Williamson's stability would have been a perfect combination for Sunrisers Hyderabad at the top of the order.