From IPL Archives: Rating the performance of Sunrisers Hyderabad year-wise
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) joined the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) as a replacement to Deccan Chargers in the year 2013. Sunrisers Hyderabad have remained a silent, yet strong contender for the title.
They are a comparatively weaker team in terms of marquee players and experienced campaigners but they tasted success which some teams have failed to. In the 6 years they played, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been able to reach the playoffs 4 times and the final 2 times. When compared to other teams, they have been phenomenal and have put up a good fight for the title every year, eventually triumphing in 2016. Though they changed captains and didn't settle with a set of players in the initial stage, as the years progressed, they look a much-settled unit.
Here we rate the performances of Sunrisers Hyderabad over the years.
1. 2013 - Playoffs
The Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the tournament as a debutant with a fresh team. Kumar Sangakkara and Cameron White captained the team for 9 and 7 matches respectively in the tournament. The team lacked firepower in the middle order and consequently, they failed to put up runs on the board yet they won the matches due to the bowling department, which defended paltry totals at ease.
Their bowling attack was hugely lauded as they were able to defend totals like 136,126 and 119. Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra wreaked havoc in the opposition as they scalped 19 and 21 wickets in the tournament.
The Sunrisers lost some matches and were in a cat on the wall situation when they faced Kolkata Knight Riders in their last league matches. A win would ensure them a playoff spot. The bowlers did their usual job as they restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 130. Sunrisers had their usual problems as they missed an anchor who would guide them across the line. Fortunately, Darren Sammy rose to the occasion and finished the match for them.
In the playoffs, they were defeated by Rajasthan Royals which ended their campaign. Reaching playoffs without much firepower while relying only on their bowlers is something they have to be proud of which sums up a fine debut in the tournament.
Rating - 7/10