IPL 2020: Complete profile of Sunrisers Hyderabad struggling with problem of plenty

David Warner's team have solid core of proven performers

Sunrisers Hyderabad's David Warner leads a superb contingent of foreign players in his squad. AP

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Jonny Bairstow, right, has formed a solid partnership with Warner. AP

Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Kane Williamson would walk into every other team but might have to fight his spot in the playing XI here. AFP

Manish Pandey is an extremely reliable T20 player with the bat and in the field. AFP

Priyam Garg makes the step up from U19 cricket. Getty

Vijay Shankar needs to have a bigger impact as all-rounder. AFP

Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads a strong Indian pace attack at Hyderabad. AFP

Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer Sandeep Sharma, left, is an under-rated performer. AP

Afghan leg-spin ace Rashid Khan saves his best for the IPL. AFP

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem is a veteran of domestic cricket in India. AFP

Left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed, right, will be auditioning for the Indian national team as well. AFP

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Based: Dubai

Last season: Fourth

Best finish: Champions in 2016

Coach: Trevor Bayliss

Captain: David Warner. During Australia’s tour of England, Warner has said it has felt odd not being abused by the crowd – and nice, too. IPL crowds are generally less hostile than opposition ones in international cricket, so the absence of any assembly beyond the boundary line in the UAE will be another surreal experience for him.

Key man: Rashid Khan

After bursting onto the scene as a leg-spin phenomenon, the Afghan’s returns have plateaued somewhat of late. He has not been a notable force in the CPL, and there might be signs opposition batsmen have figured him out, given how much cricket he plays around the world now. IPL usually brings out the very best in him, though.

Big miss: Nobody, yet

Hyderabad have not been affected by the spate of big name withdrawals ahead of the IPL. If anything, they have a problem of plenty. Namely, how to fit five proven IPL performers – Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson, Mohammed Nabi and Rashid – into four overseas player berths.

Verdict

Since 2016, Sunrisers have had Chennai levels of consistency in the IPL. They have placed third (when they went on to win the title as well), third, first and fourth in the table in that time.

Four of their star foreigners will have delayed arrivals in UAE. The way they start the competition will likely be largely dependent on how quickly Warner, Bairstow, Nabi and Rashid Khan manage the quarantine process and acclimatise.

The 2016 champions also have a strong Indian spine, particularly in their pace attack with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, and Khaleel Ahmed, whose India debut came in Dubai in the 2018 Asia Cup.

Fixtures

1. Match 3, Monday, September 21, 6pm, Dubai - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore

2. Match 8, Saturday, September 26, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad

3. Match 11, Tuesday, September 29, 6pm, Abu Dhabi – Delhi Capitals v Sunrisers Hyderabad

4. Match 14, Friday, October 2, 6pm, Dubai – Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad

5. Match 17, Sunday, October 4, 2pm, Sharjah – Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad

6. Match 22, Thursday, October 8, 6pm, Dubai – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kings XI Punjab

7. Match 26, Sunday, October 11, 2pm, Dubai – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals

8. Match 29, Tuesday, October 13, 6pm, Dubai – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings

9. Match 35, Sunday, October 18, 2pm, Abu Dhabi – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders

10. Match 40, Thursday, October 22, 6pm, Dubai – Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad

11. Match 43, Saturday, October 24, 6pm, Dubai – Kings XI Punjab v Sunrisers Hyderabad

12. Match 47, Tuesday, October 27, 6pm, Dubai – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Delhi Capitals

13. Match 52, Saturday, October 31, 6pm, Sharjah – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad

14. Match 56, Tuesday, November 3, 6pm, Sharjah – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians