The Pace Variety in the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack: 2022

Four wins in a row has brought the Sunrisers Hyderabad back to a comfortable position and a lot of credit can be given to the variations in their pace attack. Against Punjab, Bhuvneshwar Kumar came in for a spell at the death. Before the IPL, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s international career seemed in the balance. A poor showing with no intensity in the previous World Cup put Bhuvneshwar Kumar off the radar a bit, but he has bounced back brilliantly in the ongoing tournament.

With Livingstone and Odean Smith in front of him, Kumar brought out his variations and frustrated Punjab before taking their wickets. His success is even more frustrating considering the pace he bowls. In Umran Malik, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have a bowler who can run in and bowl 150+ with ease. His pace was on display in the previous game as Umran Malik bowled a maiden in the final over.

Against Kolkata, Umran Malik impressed Dale Steyn with a solid yorker, while he also controlled Andre Russell nicely in the death with some sharp deliveries. Facing aggressive batters in both PBKS and KKR allowed Umran Malik to take the advantage in an interesting battle. While his high pace can often be a reason to leak runs, he has shown the impact pace provides when bowled well.

With Umran Malik coming in fast and furious, batters may take things a little easier against the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar who operates slower. By doing so, Kumar often becomes a target in the death overs, but his bag of tricks allows him to find a way past the batters.

While both bowlers are doing a great job, Sunrisers Hyderabad possess another pacer who can take the new ball with ease. In Marco Jansen, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have a tall pacer who can swing the ball and also bowl discomforting lengths. Bowling from 6ft 8 inches, Jansen can get the ball to bounce in odd manners, and can also assist Bhuvneshwar Kumar with his swing, giving the Sunrisers Hyderabad a well-rounded new-ball attack.

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The final piece in the Sunrisers puzzle is T Natarajan. In the start of the season most eyes were on Umran Malik’s pace and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s lack of form coming into the tournament. T Natarajan was coming in after missing 2021 due to an injury, but had an incredible 2020. With a lot of attention on the other two pacers, T Natarajan quickly attracted some eyes with his Yorkers. He is their leading wicket-taker this season, and is working nicely as a strike-bowler in the line-up.

T Natarajan isn’t as fast as Umran Malik and doesn’t extract swing like Bhuvi, but is playing a key role in the side. Often coming in towards the end or after the powerplay. Natarajan is used in one over spells, mostly to limit the run scoring. Six games in, Natarajan has already provided some wonderful Yorkers and is working nicely as a bowler who can be relied on when a breakthrough is required.

With Natarajan coming in with his one over spells, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are building a nice four man pace attack. Their bench has some talent as well with Kartik Tyagi in the hut. Tyagi himself can bowl at a high speed, competing with Umran Malik, giving Sunrisers Hyderabad loads of options with the ball.

After a slow start, Hyderabad are finally showcasing their bowling strength and proving that a strong bowling attack can take a team very far. They have won the last four games, but are still pretty silent when it comes to the playoff’s discussion. With intellect and raw pace though, Sunrisers have a ferocious pace attack which can boss most batting line-ups if one of their bowlers get it right.