New Delhi, April 14 (NationPress) Irfan Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, praised the contributions of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s emerging fast bowlers, Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. He highlighted how their blend of speed and variation has notably enhanced the team’s bowling lineup, asserting that the duo has rendered SRH’s bowling attack ‘far more complete.’

Earlier in the season, SRH's bowling faced criticism, but the dynamic performance of these two youngsters against the formidable Rajasthan Royals on Monday helped to halt the champions' winning streak in the tournament.

Pathan emphasized that their diverse skill sets brought essential balance to the bowling unit.

“The primary advantage was their combination of pace and variation, which is precisely what Sunrisers Hyderabad requires. They initiated the match with high speed, bounce, and a touch of swing, and as the game progressed, their variations became pivotal. Sakib, in particular, was exceptional. His wrist positioning enables him to generate sharp turn and deceptive slower deliveries, even on dry pitches. Praful Hinge excels with the new ball and yorkers, whereas Sakib manages the middle overs effectively with his variations. This synergy makes their bowling attack significantly more robust,” Pathan commented to JioStar.

Discussing their overall influence, Pathan pointed out how this duo introduced a fresh dimension to a previously veteran-reliant attack.

“This was a major uplift for Sunrisers Hyderabad as their bowling needed that additional firepower. While seasoned bowlers like Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel leaned on variations, Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain brought in high pace and bounce, which made a substantial impact. Sakib's journey is remarkable; his mother sold her jewelry to purchase his first cricket shoes, and witnessing him perform at this level will be incredibly meaningful for his family. Kudos also to the team management and Ishan Kishan for supporting these young talents in a high-pressure situation. Their trust has paid dividends, and SRH looks to be entering an exciting phase,” he added.

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis also commended Hinge’s quick impact, especially during the powerplay, where early wickets were crucial in establishing the match’s rhythm.

“It was fantastic to witness a young player come in with such intent. Sunrisers Hyderabad adjusted their attack to seize early wickets, and he delivered exactly that. He bowled with impressive pace and aggression, and the element of surprise worked to his advantage. The batters were uncertain about what to expect, and he capitalized on that beautifully,” Faf stated.

Both Praful and Sakib achieved four-wicket hauls, with Praful dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks, alongside captain Riyan Parag for a mere 4(6). Sakib, on the other hand, took down Yashasvi Jaiswal, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, and Ravi Bishnoi.