2015 IPL preview: Sunrisers Hyderabad wondering if Dale Steyn and Eoin Morgan can deliver

Dale Steyn took 11 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 39.18 in the 2014 IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pawan Singh / The National

Before the 2015 Indian Premier League starts on April 8, The National will preview each of the eight teams. Next up, Sunrisers Hyderabad.

An overview

It is difficult to know what to make of one of the league’s youngest franchises. In their first season after they assumed the position of the defunct Deccan Chargers, they were outstanding, winning 10 of their 16 matches. In their second, last season, not so much, winning just six of 14 games.

It was a troubled season, involving multiple captaincy changes and a whiff of that has carried over this season. David Warner has taken over from Shikhar Dhawan and Darren Sammy, bringing to five the number of men who have led the franchise so far.

In practice they have the makings of a merely decent side though Warner could be the man to galvanise them. It is easy to see them have either a disastrous season, or an exceptional one, but not really a middling one.

They would have been stronger for Kevin Pietersen’s presence, of course, but he is an uncertain participant given his preoccupations with returning to England. The other two Englishmen in the squad, Ravi Bopara and Eoin Morgan, do not immediately stir the senses in the same way.

What they will need is a fired up Dale Steyn. The South African is the best fast bowler in the world today, but it becomes clearer every year that it is in the five-day game that his genius is given full outing.

He had a mediocre 2014 season, taking only 11 wickets in 14 games. He returns after a traumatic limited overs outing, hit for the six that ended South Africa’s World Cup. If he can work himself up for this season, then Sunrisers will go well.

He will be helped immensely by the presence of the newly-acquired flavour of the day, Trent Boult, who has shown himself to be, over the last couple of months, a growing limited-overs bowler.

The match winner – Shikhar Dhawan

With captaincy not his headache anymore, Dhawan may well be the man to rouse the franchise. He stands rejuvenated after a successful World Cup and has the kind of cockiness that teammates draw strength from.

Up and coming star – Lokesh Rahul

Earmarked since the 2010 U19 World Cup for great things, Rahul may finally have hit the big time. After a horror Test debut, he scored a hundred in his second Test in Australia and, as one of Sunrisers’ most expensive purchases in 2013, the franchise will be hoping for a return this year.

Five to watch

Eoin Morgan – The British press at least will be closely following the fortunes of Morgan. He has had a horror recent run of form, topped off by being captain of a disastrous World Cup. Get some runs here and some of the pressure will ease.

Kane Williamson – One of the world’s best young batsmen, Williamson had a not-too-great World Cup. But his class across all formats is obvious and until he plays, he will be crucial.

Ishant Sharma – Sometimes it feels as if Sharma is always injured. He missed the World Cup with a knee problem, further stalling a career that takes off only to be swiftly derailed. He will be an important foil for Dale Steyn.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – The gloss has gone slightly off what had been a wonderful start to international cricket. A combination of injuries and a realisation that a little more pace may be necessary has contributed. A good time to return, though, behind bigger names.

Karn Sharma – Sharma was an important partner to fellow leggie Amit Mishra in their first-season semi-final run. He has continued to be impressive since then, in a solid if not spectacular rise. Had a poor India debut but, for now, he is comfortable in this format.

Coach – Tom Moody

Previous record – 2014: Group stage; 2013: Semi-final

The National’s verdict

Genuinely difficult to know which way they may veer. They have the capacity to go well, but much will depend on established internationals, such as Warner, Dhawan, Steyn and Ishant Sharma. If they get off to a bad start, however, things could unravel quickly.

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