Cricket

Wasim Akram Warns Sunrisers Hyderabad of Kolkata Knight Riders' Formidable Bowling AttackLegendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has issued a stern warning to Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of their highly anticipated IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. Akram, who has previously coached KKR, highlighted the team's exceptional bowling attack as a major threat to SRH's title aspirations.KKR finished the league stage at the summit of the standings with an impressive net run rate of 1.428, showcasing their dominance in both batting and bowling. In their league encounter this season, KKR emerged victorious over SRH with a tense 4-run win at Eden Gardens.Akram praised KKR's bowling attack for its collective effort throughout the season, emphasizing their ability to consistently take wickets. "This [bowling] is one of the main factors [behind KKR finishing on top of the points table]. There are wicket-taking bowlers. The teams that will take wickets will win the matches," Akram told Sportskeeda.He highlighted the contributions of Varun Chakaravarthy (18 wickets), Harshit Rana (16 wickets), and all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine (15 wickets each), along with Mitchell Starc, who has 12 wickets. "Starc single-handedly won them a game as well. They are going in the final as a calm, confident, and very dangerous side for sure," Akram added.Akram also noted the team's controlled aggression as a key factor. "Almost everyone performed; they played Manish Pandey in one game and he also delivered. So, that shows that everybody is happy and confident. They have aggression, but they have controlled aggression. They are not cocky or overconfident," he added.However, Akram did highlight a potential challenge for KKR with the absence of Phil Salt, who has returned home for national team commitments. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is expected to replace him in the playoffs. "No doubt, Phil Salt's absence will affect them," Akram remarked.

Australia's Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, the two most expensive players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will face off on Tuesday in a high-stakes playoff match. The winner will advance to the final, while the loser will have a second chance in the Eliminator.Cummins, the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Starc, a key bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders, have both had impressive seasons. Cummins has led Hyderabad to eight wins in 14 matches, while Starc has taken 12 wickets in 12 games.However, it is Cummins's captaincy that has been particularly impressive. He has strategically rotated his bowlers, contributing to Hyderabad's success. Cummins has also been a valuable lower-order batsman, with a highest score of 35 not out.Starc, on the other hand, has been finding his form just in time for the World Cup. He took 3 for 38 against the Lucknow Super Giants and 4 for 33 against the Mumbai Indians in recent matches.The IPL final will be followed just six days later by the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States. Cummins led Australia to victory in the 50-over World Cup last year, and he will be hoping to lead Hyderabad to their second IPL title.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) remarkable success in IPL 2024 can be largely attributed to the exceptional performance of their opening pair, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Abhishek, in particular, has emerged as a formidable force, impressing legendary Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh with his aggressive batting style.In SRH's final league-stage match against Punjab Kings, Abhishek smashed his third half-century of the season, scoring a blistering 66 off 28 balls. His innings included five fours and six sixes, providing SRH with the quick start they needed after Head's early dismissal.Abhishek's consistent performances throughout the season have earned him high praise from Harbhajan, who believes he is on the verge of breaking into the Indian team. "He is not just knocking at the Indian team's door but almost breaking it open," said Harbhajan.Abhishek's impressive batting average of 467 runs in 13 innings, with a strike rate of 209.41, is a testament to his dominance. He has also hit a season-high 41 sixes, showcasing his power-hitting abilities."The kind of batting he has done in this entire season, I don't think any other youngster has played this well," added Harbhajan. "He has dominated with the bat. He hasn't bowled yet, which he is quite good at as well. He is a good allrounder."Abhishek's journey began with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2018, when he was just 17 years old. He also represented India's Under-19 team that won the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand the same year. In 2019, he joined the Sunrisers.One of Abhishek's most memorable performances this season was his 16-ball fifty against Mumbai Indians, the fastest ever by an SRH batsman. This innings played a crucial role in SRH's record-breaking 277-run total, the highest in IPL history."He was unhappy today because he had a hundred there on a platter. He missed it," said Harbhajan. "But the knocks he has played (so far this season), those have been impactful. He was a youngster when he made his Ranji debut for Punjab under me. I am so happy to see his progress, the way he has enhanced his performance. He is around that door to the Indian team now, one day he will enter it."

Nitish Reddy, a 20-year-old seam bowling all-rounder, has emerged as a promising talent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite being a raw talent, Reddy has showcased exceptional skills with both bat and ball.In his first season with regular game time, Reddy has impressed with his batting prowess, scoring 276 runs in 10 games with an average of 46 and a strike rate of 151.64. His two half-centuries, including a match-winning 64 against Punjab Kings, have highlighted his ability to handle pressure situations.Reddy's batting range is evident in his ability to pull pacers and reverse-sweep spinners for boundaries. His captain at Andhra, Ricky Bhui, has praised his adaptability and fearless approach at the crease.While Reddy's batting has garnered attention, he has also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets in 12.1 overs. Bhui believes that Reddy has the potential to become a genuine all-rounder, citing his work ethic and continuous improvement.Reddy's breakthrough IPL campaign has raised expectations for his future. Bhui anticipates a larger role for him in the upcoming domestic season for Andhra, where he will aim to build on his recent performances.With his unique skillset and promising start, Nitish Reddy is a player to watch in the Indian cricket landscape. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for any team, and his potential for growth is immense.

Abhishek Sharma, the explosive left-handed batsman from Punjab, has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. His blistering batting has earned him high praise from none other than premier pacer Pat Cummins, who admitted that he would be reluctant to bowl to Sharma due to his intimidating presence at the crease.Sharma's exceptional performance this season has been a revelation. Batting at a strike rate of 209.41, he has amassed 467 runs from 13 matches, including 39 sixes and 35 fours. His ability to dominate both pacers and spinners has made him a nightmare for bowlers.In Sunrisers Hyderabad's recent four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings, Sharma blazed away to a 28-ball 66, hitting six sixes and five fours. His innings played a crucial role in SRH's successful chase of Punjab's target of 215.Cummins, Sharma's skipper at SRH, was full of admiration for his young teammate. "He (Abhishek) is amazing. I wouldn't want to bowl to him. It's scary as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners," Cummins said.Sharma's success this season can be attributed in part to his work with batting great Brian Lara, who was involved with the SRH franchise in the past. "I have done some work with him, he's in touch. That's helping me now," Sharma revealed.Sharma's aggressive approach at the crease is a reflection of his determination to make a mark in the IPL. "During Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, I was clear how I was going to play and dominate in the IPL," he said. "I'm just waiting for the loose balls, I am going hard against them and trying to put them (bowlers) under pressure."With SRH on course for a top-two finish, Sharma's contributions will be crucial in their quest for the IPL title. His fearless batting and ability to take on the opposition's best bowlers make him a valuable asset for his team.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins has lauded young batter Abhishek Sharma for his fearless approach at the crease, which played a pivotal role in their four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS).Abhishek, alongside Heinrich Klaasen, delivered powerful performances that propelled SRH to victory, elevating them to the second spot on the points table. Abhishek's display of versatile batting skills during the match in Hyderabad on Sunday was particularly notable, as his contributions played a crucial role in SRH's successful chase against PBKS.Speaking after the game in the post-match presentation, Cummins said, "It is pretty cool, it is awesome. We have won six out of seven games here (at Hyderabad), it has been great and amazing. I did not know many guys coming into this season, but we have played great cricket and had some fun. Great bunch of guys. He (Abhishek) is amazing. I would not want to bowl to him. It is scary, as he plays with freedom, not only against pacers but also against spinners."Cummins also heaped praise on young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, for his "maturity beyond his age" and class as a player."Really satisfying and exciting. I have not played in finals (of IPL) before, we will know in a few hours which game it is. Playing some really good cricket, excited for what is ahead," he concluded.Abhishek has been a standout performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) this season, amassing 467 runs in 13 innings, making him the ninth highest run-scorer. His impressive batting average of 38.91 and a phenomenal strike rate of 209.41 underscore his impactful contributions to the team. Abhishek has scored three half-centuries, with an unbeaten 75 being his highest score of the season.Additionally, another exciting find for SRH this season has been Reddy, whose classy and composed batting style has won hearts and caught the attention of fans and critics alike. In 10 matches, he has scored 276 runs in eight innings at an impressive average of 46.00 and a strike rate of 151.64, including two half-centuries. Reddy has also showcased his utility with the ball, claiming three wickets, further enhancing his value to the SRH squad.Coming to the match, PBKS won the toss and elected to bat first. A hard-hitting half-century from Prabhsimran Singh (71 in 45 balls, with seven fours and four sixes) and knocks from Rilee Rossouw (49 in 24 balls, with three fours and four sixes) and Atharva Taide (46 in 27 balls, with five fours and two sixes) set the tone for a big total, taking PBKS to 214/5 in their 20 overs.T Natarajan (2/33) was the pick of the bowlers for SRH.In the run-chase, after losing Travis Head for a duck, Abhishek Sharma (66 in 28 balls, with five fours and six sixes), Nitish Kumar Reddy (37 in 25 balls, with a four and three sixes) and Heinrich Klaasen (42 in 26 balls, with three fours and two sixes) played fiery knocks to propel SRH to 215/6 in 19.1 overs, winning the game with five balls left.Arshdeep Singh (2/37) was the pick of the bowlers for PBKS. Abhishek Sharma was the Player of the Match for his quickfire fifty.

Punjab Kings' stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their penultimate Indian Premier League (IPL) contest in Hyderabad on May 19. While Punjab Kings are out of contention for making the IPL playoffs for the 10th year in a row, Sunrisers Hyderabad are eyeing two points from this game to bolster their chances of finishing second. SRH are currently third in the points table with 15 points, behind table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, who play later in the day. The outcomes of both games on Sunday will finalise the team standings as well as playoffs fixtures in Ahmedabad and Chennai. KKR, RR, SRH, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the four teams to have made the playoffs this year.Punjab Kings, led by Sharma, posted a competitive total of 151/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Prabhsimran Singh top-scored with a 41-ball 56, while Jitesh Sharma contributed a valuable 29 off 24 deliveries. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan picked up two wickets each.In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad fell short by 12 runs, finishing on 139/9. Abhishek Sharma (43) and Rahul Tripathi (34) provided a solid start, but the middle order failed to capitalize. Punjab Kings' bowlers shared the wickets, with Rishi Dhawan, Harpreet Brar, and Rahul Chahar taking two wickets each.The victory for Punjab Kings was their sixth of the season, while Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered their eighth defeat. Both teams will play their final league matches on May 22, with Punjab Kings facing Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Mumbai Indians.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed an unprecedented explosion of run-scoring, with eight totals exceeding 250 runs and a record-breaking number of sixes. Amidst this run-fest, young Abhishek Sharma has emerged as a standout performer, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.The 23-year-old from Punjab has amassed 401 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 205.64, hitting the most sixes (35) and boasting the highest strike rate among batters with 400 or more runs. Sharma's breathtaking strokeplay has propelled him to the forefront of the tournament, holding his own against established names at the top of the order.After leading India to the U-19 Asia Cup title in 2016 and being part of the 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning squad, Sharma was picked up by Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) in 2018. He joined SRH the following year but initially struggled to secure regular playing time.However, in 2022, Sharma's career took a significant turn. The Sunrisers retained him for Rs.6.5 crore, and he repaid their faith with 426 runs that season. Despite a relatively quiet IPL in 2023 (226 runs), he delivered a stellar performance in domestic cricket, powering Punjab to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy with 480 runs at a strike rate of over 180.In IPL 2024, Sharma has truly announced himself as a force to be reckoned with. He has formed a formidable opening partnership with Travis Head, who has also been in scintillating form. Together, they have instilled a sense of fear among the opposition, with Sharma's aggressive square-of-the-wicket play and clean swing of the bat proving particularly devastating.Sharma's standout knocks include a 23-ball 63 against Mumbai Indians, a 12-ball 37 against Chennai Super Kings, a 12-ball 46 against Delhi Capitals, a 13-ball 31 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, and a 28-ball 75* against Lucknow Super Giants.While Sharma may not have made it to India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, his performances in the IPL suggest that he is likely to be in the mix as some of the senior players move on. With batting in the shortest format becoming increasingly aggressive, Sharma's ability to lead the onslaught makes him a valuable asset for the future.

The introduction of the 'Impact Player' rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has sparked debate, with some arguing that it benefits all-rounders while others believe it has created a nightmare for bowlers. Sunrisers Hyderabad's left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed falls into the latter camp, expressing concerns that the rule has given batters an unfair advantage.Ahmed, who has played 12 games this season, has scored 186 runs at a strike rate of 138. However, his bowling has been less impressive, with only three wickets to his name at an economy rate of 10.60. He attributes this to the 'Impact Player' rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match."Now every team has nine batters, an all-rounder, and eight batters," Ahmed explained. "Teams are looking for players who can strike big from ball one and carry on the momentum. The 'Impact Player' rule has affected bowlers more than all-rounders because it gives batters the cushion to play freely."Ahmed believes that teams have become more adept at using the 'Impact Player' as the season has progressed. This has led to a decline in the role of all-rounders, who are now getting fewer opportunities to bowl."The teams didn't know much about how to use it (Impact Player) last season," Ahmed said. "The all-rounders have a reduced role, which means they are getting lesser chances to bowl unlike earlier times when they used to bowl four overs."Despite the challenges posed by the 'Impact Player' rule, Ahmed has praised the leadership of Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins. He credits Cummins with creating a stress-free environment in the dressing room, which has contributed to the team's success."If I talk about myself, whenever Pat throws the ball to me, he always backs me," Ahmed said. "This sort of helps me to soak in pressure well and even if the ball goes to the boundary, he doesn't say anything and keeps motivating all bowlers."Ahmed also revealed that legendary cricketer Virat Kohli gifts him a bat every season. "Virat's bat is by far the best in terms of quality," Ahmed said. "His bat has the right balance and the ping is fabulous. In every IPL season, he has gifted me a willow. His bat really holds high value for me."