Hyderabad: After battling through the rough and tumble of the demanding IPL, the bruised Sunrisers Hyderabad head into the home stretch, knowing well that they will have to go full throttle now to nurture hopes of sealing a spot in the all-important play-offs.
The Eagles lie fifth on the points table and would be eager to take off for greater heights. With just three matches left to play, they will have to bring out their ‘A’ game against Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians. Any let up at this stage could prove very costly. SRH would be encouraged by the fact that all these games will be played at home though.
First up are the Punjab Kings who have been the butt of ridicule this season. Having lost nine of the 11 games played so far, the Bright Pinks haven’t a chance in hell to make it to the play-offs.
It’s certainly the blues for the bottom-placed team from the north, which would now look at consolation wins to make them look a little better on the points table before curtains are drawn.
With no real chance of qualifying for the business end of the League, the Kings’ downcast morale just might work in favour of the Sunrisers, who are lurking just outside the coveted top-four bracket. On Monday they will have to make a big push towards the top. Saturday’s win against the Delhi Daredevils should stand them in good stead too.
Consistent contributions from Moises Henriques and Eoin Morgan would mean there is less pressure on the top two — David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan — when it comes to getting runs on the board.
The bowling bunch too looks to be getting into their elements with potent seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and effective leg-spinner Karn Sharma playing lead roles. Parvez Rasool’s economy rate in the previous game is refreshing as well for the home side. As for the Kings, they cannot sink any further. The only way for them is northwards, chin up. That’s easier said than done though.
