The defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad will be looking to be the first side to defend the title since the Chennai Super Kings managed it in 2011. A well balanced and cleverly put together squad looks to have every chance of going the distance once again if they can handle the spotlight and the pressure of being the champions.
Stats
Last Season: Champions (3rd in Regular Season)
Captain: David Warner
Key Players: Bhuvneshwar Kumar & David Warner
Best Odds: 6/1
Predicted Finishing Position: Champions
Fixtures
Wednesday April 5 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (h)
Sunday April 9 – Gujarat Lions (h)
Wednesday April 12 – Mumbai Indians (a)
Saturday April 15 – Kolkata Knight Riders (a)
Monday April 17 – Kings XI Punjab (h)
Wednesday April 19 – Delhi Daredevils (h)
Saturday April 22 – Rising Pune Supergiants (a)
Tuesday April 25 – Royal Challengers Bangalore (a)
Friday April 28 – Kings XI Punjab (a)
Sunday April 30 – Kolkata Knight Riders (h)
Tuesday May 2 – Delhi Daredevils (a)
Saturday May 6 – Rising Pune Supergiants (h)
Monday May 8 – Mumbai Indians (h)
Saturday May 13 – Gujarat Lions (a)
Auction
Most expensive signing: Rashid Khan
Other notable signings: Chris Jordan, Mohammad Nabi, Ben Laughlin, Pravin Tambe
Strengths
The strength of the defending champions and one of the reasons why they are the champions is their bowling attack and if anything that area of their side has been strengthened in the auction. Chris Jordan provides another death bowling option while Rashid Khan and Pravin Tambe offer spin options that Sunrisers haven’t previously had.
Weaknesses
There aren’t too many weaknesses in the Sunrisers Hyderabad ranks but if they do have one it can be in their middle order where they are reliant on all-rounders who probably give off more with the ball than they do the bat. That weakness can be covered up by a top three who have a mountain of runs in them.
Betting
I’ve taken a Sunrisers player in the respective tournament batsmen and bowler markets and I’m happy to leave it at that. I’m not adverse to taking players to do the business in the team markets too but if I’m going to tie up some funds for six weeks I want some value and in truth there is no value in either Shikhar Dhawan or Ashish Nehra here so I’ll sit on my tournament bets as far as the Sunrisers are concerned.
Tips
No Bet
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