With anticipation building ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s high-stakes Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash against Gujarat Titans, Aiden Markram, the former team captain, has praised the stalwart presence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the enterprising batting of Abhishek Sharma. On Wednesday, May 15, Markram shed light on their significant contributions in what has been a notable season for the Sunrisers so far.
As the league stage draws to a close, Sunrisers Hyderabad is aiming for victories in their remaining two matches to clinch a playoff spot. They rode on a wave of confidence following a commanding performance against the Lucknow team, where they achieved a remarkable ten-wicket win, hunting down a 166-run target in less than ten overs. The opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head earned plaudits for their unbeaten half-centuries that sealed the game.
Markram drew attention to the team’s collective bowling prowess that has been central to these successful encounters. Praising the team’s approach, Markram outlined how they’ve ridden the tides of an aggressive cricket season in a manner he described as ‘calm and silent’. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been a consistent asset to the Sunrisers’ lineup since the 2014 IPL, has marshaled the bowling department and shown why he’s been invaluable over the years.
This season, Bhuvneshwar’s form saw a slight dip initially, with a barren run in wickets. Yet, the 34-year-old has recovered magnificently, bagging 11 wickets and maintaining a 9.13 economy rate. His resurgence was particularly evident in the games against Mumbai and Lucknow, where the seasoned pacer delivered match-winning performances.
Aiden Markram, whose own chances in the playing eleven have been uncertain, didn’t hold back in applauding Bhuvneshwar’s influence both as a bowler and a leader. He commented to PTI, “I don’t think Bhuvneshwar Kumar ever lost it, to be honest. He sort of leads from the front in his own calm and silent way. It’s been fantastic for us to watch.”
Detailing the bowling strategy, Markram noted that the entire unit has effectively countered the explosive batting prevalent this season, devising unique methods to subdue hitters and consistently take wickets. Bhuvneshwar’s leadership by example, according to Markram, has been pivotal to the team’s steady performance.
Despite Bhuvneshwar’s outstanding record as India’s top T20I pace bowler with 90 dismissals in 86 innings, his last game in international colors was in November 2022, and a national team comeback seems uncertain.
Elsewhere in the IPL, teams are dealing with their share of challenges as Punjab Kings were hit hard by the loss of a key fast bowler to injury. In contrast, Sanju Samson is on the brink of achieving a milestone, potentially joining cricket elites like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni.
Updates from the international circuit saw Wanindu Hasaranga ascend to the top spot as the No. 1 T20I all-rounder in the latest ICC rankings, signifying the dynamic shift in the global standings.
As the IPL season barrels towards its climax, the keen oversight and experience of cricketers such as Aiden Markram and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be instrumental to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign as they look to secure their playoff berth. With the playfield ever-changing and new talents surfacing, the stage is set for a theatrical end to this season’s league games.
