IPL 2018: SRH and their problem of plenty in the bowling department
Over the past few years, everyone has come to terms with the Sunrisers' love for good quality fast bowlers. It was evident in the auction as well when they signed a few pacers with high regard in T20 cricket.
But now the problem of plenty arises and the rumoured mid-season trading for uncapped players may come into pictures if other teams have the need for domestic fast bowlers. Such is the quality of SRH's bowling unit.
They can follow the horses for courses strategy. But the real question is will the talented players get opportunities to prove themselves?
Let us now have a look at the frontline bowling options for Hyderabad from the spin and the seam departments as well as how the other options can be used.
Spinners
Rashid Khan
The spin department will be led by the teenage sensation from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan has been performing wonderfully all around the globe. In last year's IPL, he accounted for 17 scalps from 14 matches conceding just 6.62 runs per over.
He also became the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded Big Bash League with 18 scalps at an economy rate of 5.65. SRH have covered the wrist spinner quota in the team and will be hoping for an even better performance from the mystery spinner from Afghanistan, who can bowl at any stage of the innings.
Shakib Al Hasan
The numero uno all-rounder in all formats, Shakib Al Hasan, will be there to support Rashid this year. Shakib Al Hasan has been a revelation for Bangladesh cricket.
He is one of only two Bangladeshi players to feature in this year's tournament, apart from Mustafizur Rahman who is playing for Mumbai. Shakib will definitely find a place in the eleven and will look forward to putting up good performances for the Sunrisers.
Mohammad Nabi
Nabi will be looking to perform well for the orange army, after his stint in Hyderabad last. In spite of being known for his batting abilities, the chance of him playing all the matches is less. Nabi can be used in Chennai where the pitch provides enough assistance for spinners.
Other options
The other two specialist spinners in the squad are two left-arm orthodox bowlers, Mehdi Hasan and Bipul Sharma, who can hit the ball a bit.
But the chances of these two playing the starting XI are meagre as Shakib serves the purpose being a left arm orthodox bowling option.
The Sunrisers have other part-time off-spin bowling all-rounders in the form of Deepak Hooda and Yusuf Pathan, who can give them an over or two when need be.
Fast bowlers
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
SRH have an able bowling leader in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the team. Bhuvaneshwar as the leader of the fast bowling picks himself into the team.
He has won the last two purple caps and will be looking forward to repeating the same. Being the only retained player, he is well aware of his duties and is prepared for it.
Siddharth Kaul
The belief that Hyderabad have in Kaul is immense and that might push him into the XI, in spite of having the likes of Sandeep Sharma, Basil Thampi, T Natarajan, and Khaleel Ahmed.
He has been a good death bowler in the last season, executing the knuckleball well. He has also learnt a thing or two from the senior statesman, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. He picked 16 wickets in just 10 matches last season and is a great prospect to look forward to.
Other options
Three overseas players automatically pick themselves: Kane Williamson, Shakib Al Hasan and Rashid Khan. There are five players fighting for the fourth spot - Alex Hales, Billy Stanlake, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan and Mohammad Nabi.
If SRH opt for Alex Hales then they can play two uncapped domestic fast bowlers. The main problem arises when they want a fast bowler in Stanlake or any one of the three hard-hitting all-rounders. Stanlake can be used in case of a seaming pitch like the ones in Mohali and Kolkata. He can also be used to generate the extra bounce on a flat pitch.
Sandeep Sharma has more experience compared to other bowlers as he was opening the bowling for KXIP in the past few seasons. But being a swing bowler, similar to Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Sharma might not be that effective in the death and that may be the reason for SRH to pick up Thampi, who was the Emerging Player of the Year last season.
Thampi has the ability to bowl good yorkers and will be a good death bowling option. In case, they want to play a left arm pacer they also have Natarajan and Khaleel Ahmed.
In spite of having so many fast bowling options from the domestic players, they can only choose one or two players depending on the selection of overseas players. It will be interesting to see what the team management will choose to do. SRH won't mind having this headache of selection conundrum. They will hope that they can get the combination right.