IPL 2020: ‘Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling reminds me of a python choking its prey’

Former Indian trailblazer Aakash Chopra likened the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling attack to a python tightening its grip around its prey and choking it to death.

He made this observation by talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the team led by David Warner ahead of their IPL 2020 Qualifier 2 clash against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra began comparing the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling formation to a python, due to their ability to strangle opponents and not allow them to bat freely.

“When you talk about the strengths of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, this team is crushing the opposition. They remind me of a python enveloping you and suffocating its prey. They are actually slowing everyone down.”

The famous commentator noted that the Sunrisers Hyderabad may not have the most menacing bowlers, but still manage to deny easy lanes to the opposition.

“Their bowling is not looking for wickets for every ball, they don’t have Jofra’s pace or Bumrah’s class. But they’re not worried because they have Sandeep who throws slowly but won’t give boundary balls.”

He pointed out that Jason Holder admirably complements Sandeep Sharma with the new ball, with the extra bounce that West Indian extracts come to his aid.

“Even Holder won’t give you the pace and will get extra bounce.”

Aakash Chopra also praised David Warner for effectively rotating the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers and getting the best out of them.

“And then David Warner’s captain was very good, he’s great as he rotates his bowling resources. They only use the five bowlers, they have a sixth option but they don’t use it.”

While pointing out that Rashid Khan is the most powerful weapon in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling attack, the former KKR player praised T Natarajan for bowling to death.

“They get Rashid to pitch in the required phase and overtake Shahbaz at the right time and then T Natarajan at the end with an over in the middle.”

He concluded that Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling ability to limit opposition to a below average score is their biggest strength.

“Their strength is that they limit the opposition between 125 and 140 runs”.

Aakash Chopra names the lack of depth in the lines a slight concern for the Sunrisers Hyderabad

Aakash Chopra pointed to the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s lack of depth in batting as a slight concern for them.

“Their weakness is that they have a little problem with their line. If Saha is there, that’s great, but if not, Sreevats Goswami, Warner, Williamson and Manish Pandey.”

He noted that the Orange Army depend on Jason Holder to find merchandise with both bat and ball.

“They rely heavily on Jason Holder, who will also serve and bowling, who will put the finishing touches and also collect wickets.”

The 43-year-old pointed to the over-reliance of the Hyderabad Sunrisers on their overseas recruits as a slight weakness for them.

“So I feel they have too much dependence on their foreign players which is a slight weakness.”

Aakash Chopra signed the contract by choosing the Sunrisers Hyderabad as the likely winners in tonight’s clash against the Delhi Capitals.

“I’m going with Sunrisers Hyderabad to win this.”

The winner of qualifying match 2 today will face off against Mumbai Indians in the 2020 IPL final on 10 November.

Published on November 8, 2020, at 11:38 am