Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were dealt a surprising defeat by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Thursday, April 25th, in Hyderabad. This loss came as a shock considering SRH had just set the record for the highest IPL total ten days prior. Following the defeat, SRH coach Daniel Vettori acknowledged the need for an aggressive shift in their batting strategy.
Openers’ Off-Day Costs SRH Dearly
RCB’s bowlers rattled the usually dependable SRH top order, dismissing both openers – Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma – within the first four overs. “We were confident because of the scores we were able to put up,” Vettori admitted after the match. “We thought 206 was a good score.” However, he conceded that the top order’s struggles disrupted their chase.
Vettori emphasized that occasional failures are inevitable. “We don’t expect them to perform 14 games,” he said of the openers. “We just didn’t get the support in the middle stages.” Despite the loss, Vettori maintained a positive outlook. “It’s a tough loss but we understand that every team can win in the IPL.”
Focus Shifts to Chennai and Adapting to New Pitches
While acknowledging the difficulty of anchoring an innings on a pitch that assisted slower bowlers, Vettori highlighted the need to adjust their approach for their upcoming match in Chennai. “The pitch in Chennai could be different and we may have to go about it in a different manner,” he said. Vettori emphasized the importance of taking the initiative, especially considering the larger boundaries in Chennai.
The slower wickets around the country could see Jaydev Unadkat play a more prominent role in the SRH bowling attack. “He has the ability to stop the ball on the wicket and gets more bounce than most,” Vettori said of Unadkat. “He’s really good when he has a set plan.” Unadkat’s absence in the previous match was due to a perceived lack of suitability for the Delhi pitch.
The loss serves as a wake-up call for SRH, who must address their batting strategy and adapt to changing pitches. Vettori’s focus will be on encouraging a more aggressive approach from his batsmen, particularly when facing larger totals. With their next match in Chennai, Unadkat’s ability to exploit slower surfaces could prove crucial for SRH’s success.
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