CLT20 team profile: Sunrisers Hyderabad

News

Cricket365
September 16, 2013

A team birthed in India, and only one edition of the IPL old, are yet to collectively face opposition of world calibre. This might count against Anand Rajan, Ashish Reddy Biplab Samantray, Karan Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, et al.

Captain: Shikhar Dhawan Coach: Tom Moody 2012 CLT20: Did not play C365 Rating: 8/10 Betting Odds: <a href='http://www.paddypower.com/bet/cricket/champions-league-20' target='_blank' class='instorylink'>8-1</a>

Strengths The presence of a World Twenty20-winning captain in Darren Sammy bodes very well. Sammy will know exactly what is required, incrementally and overall, to win a title.

The tournament scheduling for the qualifiers has been very good to the Hyderabad, who unlike other group graduates, have been afforded a firm base. All their matches will be played in Chandigarh. The Lions, etc, have to travel from city to city.

Weaknesses The franchise fleeted the captaincy between Cameron White and Kumar Sangakkara during the IPL, and recently opted for Shikhar Dhawan at the helm for the CLT20, which ostensibly translates to worrying instability at the helm.

The Sunrisers have not qualified for the tournament proper yet, and will have to win at least two of three trying trials against Faisalabad, Otago and Kandurata to graduate to the real deal.

A weakness for South Africa more than Hyderabad, but valid nonetheless. The last thing South Africa want is pace attack spearhead Dale Steyn getting injured during a largely inconsequential T20 tourney shortly before a very important series against Pakistan.

Star Player JP Duminy has proven a veritable sensation for the Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers in the past, but couldn't take part in Hyderabad's opening throes due to injury. He is back now, and ready to reclaim lost time.

Bench Warmer A cap of four international players in one playing XI might see Thisara Perera sidelined more often than not. Unless additional batting power is required, in which case Steyn could be benched.

They Said "Having excelled in the Indian team over the recent past, Shikhar has dominated as a batsman and has been more than consistent. He is a complete package as a player and is considered a real team man. That's why we have decided to elevate him and make him our new captain." – coach Tom Moody.

Squad Shikhar Dhawan, Anand Rajan, Ashish Reddy, JP Duminy, Amit Mishra, Parthiv Patel, Thisara Perera, Biplab Samantray, Darren Sammy, Ishant Sharma, Karan Sharma, Dale Steyn, Hanuma Vihari, Cameron White.

Fixtures Tuesday, 17 September: v Kandurata Maroons, Chandigarh Wednesday, 18 September: v Faisalabad Wolves, Chandigarh Friday, 20 September: v Otago Volts, Chandigarh