Sunrisers Hyderabad first played Pune Warriors in the third game of the current edition and managed to defend a low score with Amit Mishra making Warriors to dance. Now, in their return leg at Pune they are set to play the 22nd game of the tournament. In between a lot has happened. Sunrisers have defeated biggies like RCB and DD, while Warriors have shocked CSK that too in Chennai, playing without few of its key players. If trends has to be seen, Warriors are a clear favorite to win the match.
Who is the better Underdog!!
Both are set to play their sixth match of the tournament. Sunrisers with 6 points are on 4th position while Warriors are on 8th position. Both have NRR running in negative, both have their batsmen not performing upto their potential. Bowling of both have been praised and have provided them good results. It is the batting and captaincy issues that brings them the underdog tag.
Batting: 120-130 run team vs 140-150 run team
Warriors have scored the two lowest total of this season, but in the last three matches, two of them they won, have saw them score 140-plus runs with ease. With their underperforming strong batting unit they can be easily categorised into a team that is good to score 140 to 150 runs on any day, which is a decent score if the team has a good bowling and fielding unit, which Warriors have and that is why they are considered one of the top most teams on paper during this IPL. Arrival of Finch has changed their outlook, and with Smith in the middle order batting looks good. But Uthappa is a concern. Either he is too slow or too aggressive. In both cases he becomes a burden. He should be glad that Warriors do not have a better Indian replacement.
Sunrisers have won three matches, but none of their batsmen are consistent. After winning them the Super Over, Cameron White has got his form back, but apart from Perera nobody is helping him. Sangakkara has become a liability, and they are praying now for Shikhar Dhawan’s return before it is too late. Overall due to their poor batting they can be considered a team that is good to score 120-130 runs on an average. And that is no score if the pitch is not supporting seamers on which Sunrisers thrive.
Bowling: Warriors Have Edge
Sunrisers have won 3 low scoring matches because of their good bowling and in two matches when their bowlers got a flat track (Bangalore) or spin-friendly track (Kolkata) they failed. Steyn, Ishant and Perera could not do much damange and the hollow batting was exposed badly. Amit Mishra has proved he is no Narine or Senanayake. Few good hits make him sweat. Ashish Reddy is yet to come and perform big, although he has taken 3 big wickets so far.
Warriors on the other hand have a very good bowling attack. Rahul Sharma is their key bowler and one of the best spinners to play IPL. Bhuvneswar Kumar has been very impressive except one poor perfromance. Dinda was the worry factor but against CSK he improvised. Abhishek Nayar also came handy. With Angelo’s return another miser bowler can be added. Mitch Marsh has been impressive allround. Overall they have a miser bowling unit, with some exceptions and there they lose the match. Yuvraj Singh has also been among the wickets.
Performances in 2013
Sunrisers have won their 2 matches at home and one at Delhi. Warriors have defeated Rajasthan Royals at home and Chennai Super Kings in away match.
Sunrisers Performances
Warriors Performances
Verdict
Steyn and Mishra are the two key factors for Sunrisers victory. Pune pitch does not support seam and Steyn factor may be reduced, as he can not be negated even on a dead pitch. On a spinning track Mishra should perform better, but then he will bowl to the middle order and Smith may take him to cleaners. With bowling getting ineffective, Warriors can score easily either to set a high target or to chase the 120-130 runs that Sunrisers set if they bat first.
Due to the edge in batting, Warriors are the favorite to win the match and move to 4th position, above SH on the Points Table.
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