Kolkata and Hyderabad, both famous for biryani, vie for IPL bragging rights
IPL, it has come down to this. The Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Kolkata Knight Riders for this year’s bragging rights.
It was probably not the first pick of experts, pre-tournament, to make it to the final, but it was not the last.
The primary reason for this is SRH’s acquisition of Pat Cummins. As a bowler, Cummins is world-class, but his efficacy is highest in Test cricket. Cummins can hit a long ball but you would not go as far as putting him in the bowling allrounder category.
Cummins got the big bucks for his leadership. His captaincy of Australia has been marked by tactical acumen. His handling of bowlers, setting of fields and deployment of batsmen out of position had all helped move the game forward.
But, more than this, it was Cummins’ instinct to take care of his flock and get the best out of those who looked up to him that Hyderabad was banking on. Cummins’ main task was to bring this team together. And he has delivered spectacularly.
Travis Head unleashed hell as we know he can and Abhishek Sharma emerged as someone whom the Indian selectors will not be able to ignore for much longer. Nitish Kumar Reddy came up with the goods in the big moments, and he is that elusive character that Indian cricket is always on the lookout for – a batsman and medium pacer. T Natarajan re-emerged as someone who can bowl yorkers at will, literally the only way to stop batsmen from scoring in this edition of the tournament, very bowler unfriendly and only made worse with the Impact Player affording teams an extra
