Hyderabad look to extend win-spree

Hyderabad: Host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will go all out to extend its win-streak when they take on the lowly-placed Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (RGICS) here on Tuesday.

Having bounced back into contention with three successive wins, the fans will expect nothing short of fireworks, particularly from skipper David Warner, whose rollicking form has already fetched him the orange cap. Though belated, his opening partner Shikar Dhawan is also slowly picking up momentum.

The bowling has been led well by Bhuvenshwar Kumar, Mustafizur Rahman and all-rounder Moises Henriques. Bhuvenshwar has given vital breakthroughs that others have exploited to the fullest. Young seamer Mustafizur has impressed in the middle and slog overs.

Bhuvneshwar gave the perfect accolade to him while contending, ‘No one can bowl, the way Mustafizur does.’ The resurgence of Hyderabad comes in close contrast to the fluctuating fortunes of new entrant, Supergiants.

The famed and dreaded Midas touch seems to have gone beyond the reach of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. On paper, the teams looks formidable with Faf du Plessis, Steve Smith, Thisara Perera and Dhoni in the ranks. Ironically, none of them has clicked, at least not as yet.

Kevin Pietersen is also out of the remaining part of the championship. Ajinkya Rahane is the only batsman who has scored 223 runs in five innings. Dhoni has managed 87 runs with an average of 43.50.

A bigger disappointment has been the failure of the bowlers to be among the wickets. On current form, Hyderabad will have an outside advantage although one never can rule out the opponent’s strengths, which are one too many.