This edition of the IPL has begun on a somber note for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. After being thrashed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the men from Hyderabad were defeated by the Kolkata Knight Riders. A major reason behind their poor start has been their below par batting performance.
Barring skipper David Warner in the first game, none of the batsmen showed any maturity it was just a one-man show. In the second game as well, it was just Eoin Morgan who scored a half century to salvage some hope for the Sunrisers. Ahead of his side’s third game, skipper David Warner admitted that the middle order would have to step up, if the Sunrisers were to win their upcoming games.
“You are not going to get the depth as you like,” Warner said. “You have to use your resources smartly. And it is very challenging. For us, I don’t think we have a weakness there in the lower order. It is about getting our top four to bat through 10 overs. That is where the runs come – top four is where the bulk of the runs come and I guarantee you No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 will do their job very well then. It is something that we have to work on how we are going to get our balance right, how we can use our Indian players very well.”
Warner reflected on his own dismissal against the Kolkata Knight Riders, and said, “I was disappointed with the way I got out. “I have had success doing the same thing against Morne Morkel. But the wicket from his end was bouncing. At the other end, Yadav was getting it to skid through. I know there is a height difference, but still there was a little bit of inconsistency. That is where you talk about giving yourself some time. I know I did not give myself the time. I was a bit rushed, but sometimes in the game that gets you going, sometimes it can be your downfall as well.”
For their upcoming game against the Mumbai Indians, Warner said that his side would have to be aggressive at all costs. “We have to go to really come out firing,” he said. “This game is going to be the game where we gel together. They are going to be hungry as well because they are in the same position as us. We have to be switched on and make sure we keep executing our plans, we can’t keep talking about it, we have to do it on the day.”