Mohammad Kaif Gives Belt Treatment To SRH’s Bowling After Fourth Successive Defeat

The former Indian batter, Mohammad Kaif, reckons that despite the entire discussion going around the opening partnership between Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, the main issue is with the 2016 champions’ bowling performances.

They started the tournament on a high, posting 286 runs on the board in 20 overs against the Rajasthan Royals. But even in that game, the winning margin for them was just 44 runs. Since then, they have dropped four successive contests and are in a do-or-die situation of winning the next game.

Sunrisers Hyderabad faced a seven-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans

Put into bat first, the Sunrisers lost Travis Head on the last ball of the opening over. Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma played two scratchy knocks. For nearly 10 overs, they didn’t hit a single boundary on a tough Uppal surface in Hyderabad. The onus was on Nitish Reddy to shoulder them to 150, but he returned to the pavilion for 31 runs in 34 balls.

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Heinrich Klassen drilled 27 runs in 19 balls, but his dismissal was the game-changing moment. The defending champions were in a spot of bother of getting bundled out for below 130, but Pat Cummins’ unbeaten 22 runs in nine balls fired them up to 152/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Two early wickets from Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler kept the Cummins-led side in the hunt. However, the 90-run stand for the third wicket between Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar scripted the victory before Sherfane Rutherford enjoyed his 35* runs in 16 balls for the seven-wicket victory.

Mohammad Kaif rips apart SRH’s bowling tactics

Mohammad Kaif has criticized Hyderabad for their bowling tactics as they gave just one solitary over to Kamindu Mendis in both the games. Despite the spinner carrying the skill of bowling with both right-hand and left-hand, they have not been able to take advantage.

“Leave the batting. Who will bowl for the Hyderabad side? Let’s talk about their bowling performances!! They gave the ball to Kamindu Mendis for just one over."

People say that he can bowl with both right and left hands, but at least give him the ball. Even in the previous game, he bowled just one over.” Mohammad Kaif expressed this during a video shared on his X-handle. (formerly known as Twitter).

“Cummins went for runs. Mohammed Shami bowled decently. But even for Simarjeet, his economy rate is always moving around 15 to 20."

"They also brought Abhishek Sharma into the bowling department against a wrong match-up of left-hander batter Sherfane Rutherford. Even against Lucknow, he bowled against Nicholas Pooran.” The Uttar Pradesh-born added.

Mohammad Kaif was stunned by Pat Cummins’ captaincy

Mohammad Kaif feels that Cummins has made so many blunders this season, including bringing back Abhishek Sharma against a left-handed batter, Rutherford. They attempted the same mistake against Pooran in the game against Lucknow.

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“What’s going on with Pat Cummins’ captaincy? They played with seven bowlers and gave just two overs to Jaydev Unadkat. Overall, I think everyone is talking about Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, but who will bowl? They are going at the rate of 4.5 wickets after five games this season.” The 44-year-old highlighted.

“Zeeshan Ansari is their main bowler, it seems. The youngster is playing his very first IPL and has replaced Adam Zampa. How can you ask him to win the game for Sunrisers? If Zeeshan is going to win the game, replacing Zampa, then they are not stable mentally. Time will tell what happens next.” Mohammad Kaif concluded.

It’s high time for the Sunrisers Hyderabad to turn the tables as they face the Punjab Kings at home after a week’s break.