New Delhi, March 15 (NationPress) Faf du Plessis, the former captain of South Africa, asserts that the success of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) relies heavily on their capacity to dominate opposing bowlers and consistently out-bat their competitors.

The 2016 IPL champions have set remarkable records for batting and six-hitting in the past two seasons, yet they have struggled to secure the title due to an inadequate bowling arsenal. "When I evaluate Sunrisers, it brings to mind the West Indies during the T20 World Cup, showcasing an incredibly potent batting lineup. But when I assess the squad, I ponder, who are my wicket-takers? From a captain's perspective, who can I rely on to deliver?"

“Surely, Cummins is the captain, making him the primary choice. But beyond him, who are the other options? Who are the two or three bowlers that can be relied upon during crucial moments and will secure wickets during the powerplay? Upon reviewing the roster, I am not entirely convinced about those individuals.

“Thus, for a successful season, they must intimidate opposition bowlers and create scoreboard pressure by outscoring teams. When the rival batsmen come out, facing a target of 260, they may falter,” du Plessis remarked on JioStar.

The imbalance in the bowling department was also highlighted by former Indian pacer Laxmipathy Balaji, who noted that the transfer of Mohammed Shami to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) significantly weakened SRH's bowling resources. "I was somewhat taken aback by Mohammed Shami's transfer between SRH and LSG. While Harshal Patel is another viable option with experience in death bowling,

“the bowling lineup appears rather weak. They have previously experimented with Jaydev Unadkat, who can bowl a few overs upfront. Additionally, there’s Shivam Mavi, another bowler plagued by injuries over the years.

“The spin department is also lacking a reliable option. Yes, Zeeshan Ansari, a domestic leg-spinner, has shown promise. This may compel them to focus on pace, with Ansari serving as their primary spinning choice.

Among the notable batting additions for SRH this season is England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, although du Plessis cautioned against high expectations, noting that he has yet to fulfill his substantial potential in various IPL stints.

"In this squad, there is a notable dependence on Pat Cummins as the bowler. When you invest heavily in someone during the auction, it indicates that 'he is an integral part of our playing XI.' Thus, they have aimed to assemble the most destructive batting lineup in the IPL concerning six-hitting.

“Each player is a six-hitter. Liam Livingstone stands out as an intriguing case because, despite his IPL career, he has not showcased his full potential in any of the teams he's represented. Fans in India anticipate a season where he truly shines, but he has yet to deliver.

“It’s fascinating that teams continue to invest in him as an all-around package. This may partly stem from the added value of spin, and all-rounders are incredibly valuable in auctions, likely contributing to his high price tag."

At the top of the order, Indian opener Abhishek Sharma arrives after scoring a fifty in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand last week. Du Plessis, however, expressed confidence that Abhishek will quickly regain his form, describing the previous lean spell as a typical phase in a top batter's career.

"Expect a significant amount of off-spin, but I believe Abhishek has performed remarkably well in IPL cricket. Experiencing a dip in form is quite common. Every top-performing batter encounters a season like the one he is experiencing now. It’s simply a matter of remaining resilient through challenges, continuing to focus on the process, and maintaining consistency.

“There will come a time when he turns the tide, and it’s crucial to ride that wave. Unfortunately for him, it occurred on the world stage when everyone hoped for his success. He had an outstanding year prior to the World Cup. Nevertheless, he is a talented player, so I am confident he will quickly find his rhythm in the IPL and excel.