New Zealand, West Indies
Jason Holder and Kane Williamson [Photo-IPLT20]

SunRisers Hyderabad have left everyone gobsmacked with their astounding resurgence at the backend of the Dream11 IPL following their qualification in the playoffs, including former cricketer-turn commentator, Aakash Chopra.

Aakash Chopra has admitted that he never thought that the David Warner-led SunRisers Hyderabad had the potential to as far as deep in the tournament as they have, adding that he always believed that they were a top-heavy side.

T Natarajan, AB de Villiers
T Natarajan cleaned up AB de Villiers [Photo-IPLT20]
Chopra made these observations following SunRisers Hyderabad 4th consecutive win; one that saw them reach Qualifier 02 where they will face the Delhi Capitals.

“To be very honest, I didn’t feel that the Sunrisers Hyderabad had the potential. I had felt that it was an okay team, that they are dependent on the top two or three in the batting and in the bowling they had Rashid and Bhuvi but no one else.” Aakash Chopra said on his official Youtube channel.

But it is cricket, whoever plays well proves everyone wrong. And I admit I was not feeling that Hyderabad will reach this far and play in this fashion but they have done that. They have won their fourth consecutive match and have defeated RCB twice in their last four matches. They are a team which is a sum of all parts.” he added.

Aakash Chopra added that he had felt that the injury to Wriddhiman Saha ahead of the playoffs would affect them big time in playoffs.

“It felt like the Sunrisers Hyderabad will get stuck in the absence of Saha but that was not the case. They were clinical, they work with such precision. They were outstanding in their bowling.”

 

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Aakash Chopra hails Jason Holder for SunRisers Hyderabad’s turnaround in fortunes

Aakash Chopra, SunRisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Jason Holder T20][Photo-IPL
The former opener went on to hail the Jason Holder-led SRH bowling attack for the manner in which they went about their business against RCB batsmen.

“Holder took the early wickets with the bounce he was getting. Shahbaz Nadeem bowled very well and no one is able to hit Rashid Khan. They have been phenomenal.” he said.

During their run-chase of 132, SRH suffered a mid-inning wobble but the cool and collected duo of Kane Williamson and Jason Holder ensured that the target was successfully achieved. Aakash Chopra lauded the duo for the manner in which they handled the pressure of the run-chase.

“They stumbled a little in their batting but Kane Williamson was there and Jason Holder was there with him, who has taken the onus of finishing the match with the bat. He had hit the winning shot in the last match and this match as well.” Aakash Chopra added.

Aakash Chopra picked Jason Holder as the game-changer of the match. The ‘Gentle Giant’ pegged RCB bac right from the outset after he dismissed the duo of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Chopra observed that that the lanky fast bowler had made the use of extra bounce that he gets, brilliantly this season.

“I am going with gentle giant Holder. He has been a very good acquisition. He was included after Mitchell Marsh had got injured. He gets an extra bounce in his bowling and troubles the batsmen by pitching the ball in the right areas and picks wickets. He is not that fast but that pace is not required as he bowls from really high.” he added.

And, then in the run-chase, the West Indian Test captain showed his experience as well as his temperament to finish off games.

“He has the temperament to finish the game with the bat. He has the experience and has been outstanding.”

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