SRH can continue the template that had stunned everyone last year: Aakash Chopra
“Their [SRH's] first visible strength is that they will start hitting and keep hitting. They won't stop at all," Chopra said.
Sunrisers Hyderabad were phenomenal in the IPL 2024 and set multiple records, including registering the highest total in the tournament’s history and also scoring the most runs in the powerplay. They were ruthless with the bat and the approach helped them qualify for the final. However, in the summit clash, the batting unit failed to live up to the expectations as the Pat Cummins-led side lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets.
Meanwhile, the team has not changed the template for IPL 2025. The 2016 champions added more firepower by bringing in the likes of Ishan Kishan and Abhinav Manohar among others in the mega auction. They also retained the opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma alongside Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Speaking on the same, former cricketer Aakash Chopra said that he expects SRH to "keep hitting" in the forthcoming season. The 47-year-old noted that previously Mayank Agarwal or Rahul Tripathi used to play the role of anchor but now, they are filled with power-hitters. Chopra expects them to play with the same template as last year.
“Their first visible strength is that they will start hitting and keep hitting. They won't stop at all. Rahul Tripathi or Mayank Agarwal at times used to be a question in the middle earlier, but now they are saying there is no question at all. The first three are left-handers and all three do the right job,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
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“All three are mighty stroke makers - Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Ishan Kishan. If they are your top three and then followed by Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Abhinav Manohar, a lot of depth is suddenly seen in the batting. They ,” he added.
Hyderabad, meanwhile, changed their bowling unit as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan and Umran Malik have been released as the long-term trio has been replaced with Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar and Simarjeet Singh among others. Chopra feels that SRH have managed to upgrade their bowling unit.
“The way the team is prepared, it seems you will have to include Adam Zampa in the XI. The bowling is a serious upgrade compared to earlier. They look very good to me. The bowling has become much better than earlier,” Chopra observed.
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