Cricket

Sunrisers Hyderabad's remarkable turnaround this season, from last place in 2021 to playoff contenders, is a testament to their strategic acquisitions and the leadership of Pat Cummins.Australian Firepower:The inclusion of Australian captain Cummins and opener Travis Head brought a new dimension to the team. Cummins' experience and leadership stabilized the side, while Head's aggressive batting at the top provided a much-needed spark.Head-Abhishek Combination:The duo of Head and Abhishek Sharma formed a formidable opening partnership, setting new records for powerplay batting. Their aggressive approach often sealed games early, with Sharma hitting the most sixes in the season and SRH amassing the most maximums.Cummins' Captaincy:Cummins' leadership was crucial in SRH's success. He effectively communicated with domestic players, made bold decisions, and adapted his strategy to suit different conditions. His partnership with head coach Daniel Vettori, who had worked with him in the Australian national team setup, proved invaluable.Home Fortress:SRH made their home ground a fortress, winning five of their six matches there. This home advantage played a significant role in their playoff qualification.Bowling Unit:While the batters stole the limelight, the bowling unit of T Natarajan, Cummins, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar quietly did their job. Their combined 48 wickets helped SRH control the opposition's scoring.High-Risk, High-Reward Strategy:SRH's success was built on a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Their aggressive batting approach, coupled with their willingness to take calculated risks, captured the imagination of fans and opponents alike.

Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler and current captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has come a long way since his IPL debut in 2014.Cummins made his IPL debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir. Despite playing only one match that season, he was part of KKR's title-winning campaign. In that match against the Chennai Super Kings, Cummins bowled four overs, conceding 29 runs, and claimed the wicket of Dwayne Smith.After his debut, Cummins spent much of the season on the bench, carrying drinks and bats for his teammates. However, he remained a valuable member of the team, cheering from the dugout and contributing to the team's success.In 2014, a video surfaced on social media showing Cummins dancing to KKR's anthem 'Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re'. This video resurfaced after Sunrisers Hyderabad's defeat in the 2024 IPL final, where Cummins was the captain.Since his debut in 2014, Cummins has played 58 IPL matches, taking 63 wickets and scoring 515 runs. He has played for KKR, the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and Sunrisers Hyderabad.In the IPL 2024 Auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired Cummins for a record Rs 20.50 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history. Cummins was appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2024 season, and under his leadership, the team reached the final, finishing as runners-up after losing to KKR in Chennai.Cummins' journey in the IPL is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent. From carrying drinks and bats to becoming one of the most expensive players in the league, Cummins has come a long way. He is a valuable asset to any team he plays for, and his leadership skills have been instrumental in Sunrisers Hyderabad's success in recent years.

Australia's T20 World Cup preparations have been hampered by the absence of several key players who were involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. The team will have just nine players available for their warm-up match against Namibia on Tuesday, with captain Mitchell Marsh still recovering from a hamstring injury.Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Mitchell Starc, who played in the IPL final on Sunday, will briefly return to Australia before joining the World Cup squad. Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, who were part of Royal Challengers Bangalore's playoff run, are also spending time at home. These five players are expected to arrive when the Australia squad reaches Barbados ahead of their first group match against Oman on June 5.Marcus Stoinis has also yet to arrive in the Caribbean. "It's important to be flexible," Marsh said. "Guys have been at the IPL. They've been playing a lot of cricket so we've prioritized giving them a couple of days at home, see their family, refresh and play the long game for this tournament."Australia may need to call on members of the coaching staff to field during the warm-up matches if they want a full complement. Brad Hodge, Andrew McDonald, George Bailey, and Andre Borovec could be called in. Daniel Vettori, another assistant coach, will also be part of the group but would not be eligible to field in warm-up matches.Marsh is confident of being able to play both warm-up matches as a batter despite his hamstring injury. "I'm just ticking off the last few things I need to tick off to be fit and available," he said. "All went well today. It's been progressively slow but finally getting there now and looking forward to getting stuck into the tournament."Some teams have opted out of practice matches altogether, but Australia's two warm-ups will be important for players coming from the off-season and those who did not feature much for their IPL sides. David Warner, whose international career will end at the World Cup, is also coming into the tournament after a lean IPL and a hand injury.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins admitted that his team was "totally outplayed" by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final of IPL 2024. SRH suffered an eight-wicket defeat, with 57 balls remaining, largely due to Mitchell Starc's devastating new-ball spell.Starc's swing bowling accounted for the dismissals of SRH's dangerous openers, Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi. "They bowled fantastically," Cummins said at the post-match presentation. "Unfortunately, [my] old mate Starcy turned it on again. Obviously, not enough tonight, [we were] totally outplayed."SRH never recovered from Starc's early onslaught and were eventually bowled out for a paltry 113. Their longest partnership was for the ninth wicket, lasting just 22 balls. "It was a bit of a tricky wicket," Cummins said. "I think if we got 160, it would have been like we were in the game. [It] didn't feel like a 200-plus wicket, again well short. But maybe [if] we found a few extra runs [it] might've given us a chance."Despite the disappointing result in the final, Cummins praised his team's aggressive batting approach throughout the season. Openers Abhishek and Travis Head played a key role in making IPL 2024 a high-scoring season. "The style that the guys played," Cummins said, "particularly with the bat, takes a lot of skill to not only get 250, [but] also [to do it] three times. You put yourself out there a fair bit. So I loved how brave the guys were in a high-pressure situation like the IPL. They took the game on, there was a lot of fun. Fans seemed to like it, back in Hyderabad. So, great season."

Sunrisers Hyderabad's remarkable journey in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) was a testament to the transformative power of Pat Cummins' leadership. The Australian captain, who had previously led his national side to triumph in the World Test Championship Final and the ODI World Cup, came within a whisker of adding an IPL title to his impressive resume.Cummins' impact on the Hyderabad franchise was undeniable. Despite not being a regular in T20s for his country, he led from the front, scalping 18 wickets, the second-highest for his side. His ability to adapt to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket was evident, as he drew upon his experience as ODI captain.Cummins' faith in his players, even during challenging times, was a key factor in the team's success. He backed Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head despite their initial struggles, recognizing their potential to be match-winners. This unwavering support fostered a positive and cohesive team environment.The Hyderabad side's aggressive brand of cricket, characterized by record-breaking totals, was a reflection of Cummins' own attacking mindset. He encouraged his players to take risks and play with freedom, which resulted in some of the most thrilling matches of the tournament.Cummins' leadership extended beyond the field. SRH assistant coach Simon Helmot praised his practical nature, humility, and empathy towards his teammates and coaching staff. This created a harmonious and supportive atmosphere within the team.Despite falling short of the ultimate prize, Sunrisers Hyderabad's 2024 campaign will be remembered as a watershed moment in the evolution of T20 cricket. Pat Cummins' exceptional leadership and the team's fearless approach to the game left an indelible mark on the competition.

Ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2024 final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), skippers Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins engaged in a lighthearted banter that left both players in stitches.During a photoshoot for the IPL trophy, which included a visit to Chennai's Marina Beach and an auto ride, Iyer reminisced about his childhood days of riding autorickshaws. With a playful grin, he charged Cummins a hefty Rs 20 crore for the ride, a humorous reference to the Rs 20.5 crore price tag that SRH had paid for the Australian all-rounder in the IPL 2024 auction.Iyer also took a moment to ask Cummins about his experience as part of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2014. Cummins, who was a member of that victorious squad, shared his fond memories of the tournament.The banter between the two skippers highlighted the camaraderie and friendly rivalry that exists within the IPL. Both KKR and SRH have had impressive seasons, with KKR topping the points table at the end of the league stage and SRH overcoming setbacks to reach the final.The IPL 2024 final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. KKR will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet, while SRH will be determined to claim their second IPL title. The match will be played at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 26th.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has advised Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to stick to their batting-first strategy in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. Raina believes that SRH's captain, Pat Cummins, will play a crucial role in the match due to his recent success in winning the ODI World Cup.Raina emphasized the importance of SRH's batting lineup putting up a strong total on the board. He also highlighted the significance of the eight overs of spin bowling that SRH will have at their disposal. Raina believes that KKR's experience of winning an IPL title in Chennai will add pressure to the SRH team.However, Raina pointed out that Cummins' leadership skills and experience in winning major tournaments will be invaluable for SRH. He believes that Cummins' ability to keep the dressing room focused and organized will be key to the team's success.KKR finished the league stage at the top of the points table, earning a direct spot in the final after defeating SRH in the qualifier one. SRH, on the other hand, secured their place in the final by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the qualifier two.

Pat Cummins, the Australian captain and a renowned leader in the cricketing world, is on the cusp of adding another significant achievement to his illustrious career by potentially securing the IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad.Cummins' remarkable success as a leader has been evident in his recent triumphs, guiding Australia to victories in the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup. Now, he aims to lead SRH to their second IPL title in the tournament's history.Ahead of the IPL 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders, Cummins' meticulous preparation has been evident. A video of him intently studying highlights of MS Dhoni's batting performance went viral on social media, showcasing his respect for the legendary Indian captain's enduring influence on the sport.Cummins attributes SRH's success this season to the blend of experience and youthful exuberance within the team. "It's been huge," he said. "We have quite an experienced bowling line-up, including (Jaydev) Unadkat and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar). Also, so many youngsters have come through and have won us games by themselves, like Nitish (Reddy) and Abhishek (Sharma)."Despite finishing second on the points table, SRH lost to KKR in Qualifier 1. However, Cummins remains confident in his team's ability to bounce back and secure the title.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have opted to cancel their practice session ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. The decision was made to prioritize player fitness amidst the scorching temperatures and humidity in Chennai.SRH secured their place in the summit clash after defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday. The team opted for a rest day to recover from their previous match. In contrast, KKR, who defeated SRH in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, have had a longer break and held a practice session on Friday. They are expected to have another net session on Saturday evening.KKR's lack of match practice could be a concern, as their last two league matches against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals were abandoned due to rain. However, SRH captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence in his team's batting strength and the experience of his bowlers.Cummins praised the team's performance in Qualifier 2, highlighting the contributions of Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek Sharma. He also acknowledged the role of left-arm orthodox bowlers in the team's success."The boys have been fantastic all season. There's a great vibe in the squad... We knew our strength was our batting and we wouldn't underestimate the experience we have in this squad," Cummins said.The IPL 2024 final promises to be an exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams. SRH will be looking to lift their second IPL trophy, while KKR will be aiming for their third title.