Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had a poor run in the first-leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) as the team was languishing at the bottom of the points table before the tournament was suspended due to COVID-19 breaching the bio-bubbles.
The Hyderabad-based franchise had also sacked David Warner as their skipper and appointed Kane Williamson to lead the side for the remainder of IPL 2021. The former India cricketer Aakash Chopra in his latest YouTube video discussed about SRH’s chances in the UAE-leg of IPL.
“SRH won only one match in the first half of IPL 2021. They even changed their captain and replaced David Warner with Kane Williamson. But there are no quick fix solutions to such problems. There are other issues as well. Their highest run-scorer in the first half - Jonny Bairstow - is not there,” Chopra pointed out.
IPL 2021: MS Dhoni's CSK surprised me, have a fantastic shot of winning the title- Kevin Pietersen
As SRH has only one win under their belt, the cricketer-turned-commentator believes the Orange Army will not qualify for the playoffs, despite the conditions being favourable to some of their key players.
“Looking at the positives, SRH made it to the playoffs the last time the event was held in the UAE. Jason Holder, one again, will be a key player. Kane Williamson always rises to the occasion. He will be expected to deliver again,” the former cricketer said
I think Warner will also enjoy the conditions in the UAE and Rashid Khan is, once again, going to be sensational. They should do reasonably well but I don’t think they will qualify for the playoffs. They won only one of their seven matches in the first half. Had they won at least three, they could have had an outside chance,” he added.
IPL 2021: What you do in 2nd half matters most - Tabraiz Shamsi on RR's chances
Continuing on SRH’s last year’s performances, the 43-year-old suggested a couple of changes to the franchise, he said, “SRH must open with Wriddhiman Saha and Warner in the UAE. When Saha opened for SRH last season, he changed their fortunes.”
“Also, I feel SRH should play Kedar Jadhav at No. 5. Yes, they have youngsters like Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma. But Jadhav is a senior player and since the franchise have picked him, they must try to utilize his experience,” Chopra concluded.
After few COVID-19 cases inside bio-bubbles of many franchises, IPL 2021 was suspended earlier this year and shifted to the Middle East, the second phase will get underway from September 19 with Sunrisers Hyderabad beginning their UAE campaign against Delhi Capitals on September 22.
