Hyderabad, May 6 (AP) Sunrisers Hyderabad’s ultra-aggressive batting approach has been one of the most talked-about narratives over the past two IPL seasons, with many experts tipping them to be the first team to break the 300-run barrier this year.
While the former champions put up scores of 200 plus consistently last year, their batting has been lacklustre this season, despite a lineup packed with power-hitters like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen, which has put a question mark on their ability to sustain the attacking approach.
SRH head coach Daniel Vettori, though, asserted he never backed an “aggressive approach” every time his batters went out to bat, saying the plan was to assess the conditions and play accordingly, but unfortunately the home pitches suited the rivals more.
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“I definitely didn’t say after every match I was backing an aggressive approach. I said we’re about assessing conditions and I think this year the conditions weren’t as we expected,” Vettori said after the former champions went out of playoff contention following the washout against Delhi Capitals here on Monday.
“I think if you look to last year, there were a number of high-scoring games here and these surfaces in particular have been a little bit different so it has been tricky, it hasn’t been easy for the batters and all we’ve talked about is just assessing conditions and trying to read the game and understand what to do in certain situations,” he added.
SRH started off the season with a massive 286/6 at home against Rajasthan Royals and chased down 245 runs with nine balls to spare against Punjab Kings.
But barring those two high-scoring matches, SRH’s aggressive batting hasn’t really helped their cause. On the contrary, batters sacrificing their wickets in powerplays to accelerate the scoring rate has been the norm.
“I think the guys are innately aggressive but it’s certainly this season has been about trying to establish what’s required on the day. I think there’s been two surfaces that have been the 250-plus.
“Then there’s been another (wicket)… how many games we’ve played, I think four here that have been probably more conducive for the fast bowlers, not so much the spinners. But new ball, been a little bit sticky, hard to hit, (ball) not coming on to the bat,” he added.
Vettori added that restricting Delhi Capitals to 133/7 on Monday was one of the best all-round performances from his side this season, and it’s a pity that the match was washed out.
“It was a really good performance, probably our best bowling and fielding performance of the tournament so far and it’s something that we really talk long and hard about in training and in the meetings.
“Obviously it’s disappointing (for the match to get washed out). Today was the start of a complete performance, so it’s frustrating that we couldn’t finish it, but that’s cricket.”
Praising captain Pat Cummins, who dismantled the DC top order, picking four wickets in the powerplay, Vettori said the Australian had managed to work around several team combinations superbly.
“I think if you look at his overall performance, he’s been able to be a wicket taker, he’s bowled a number of different roles for us and he’s been able to mix and match depending on who’s selected in the team.
“Today, I think the first time he took the new ball, took the first over and you can see why he’s such a dominant Test match bowler when he gets that opportunity. So pleasing for him to be able to turn up today and bowl so well and lead the team exceptionally well.”
