SRH : The Sunrisers Hyderabad has been one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and over the years, they have built a formidable reputation as a team that thrives on disciplined bowling. In 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack stood out as one of the strongest in the tournament, helping them reach the final of IPL 2018. With the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, and Shakib Al Hasan, SRH’s bowling unit played a key role in their successful campaign. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the best bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018, focusing on key performances and individual statistics.
Overview of SRH’s Bowling Attack in IPL 2018
In 2018, SRH had a well-balanced and potent bowling attack that combined pace, spin, and variations. Let’s break down the key bowlers and their contributions to SRH’s campaign in IPL 2018:
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, one of India’s premier pacers, was a key figure in SRH’s attack in IPL 2018. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his skill in the death overs, made him a lethal weapon. He played a vital role in taking wickets early on and stifling the opposition in the final overs. - Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, continued to be one of the most effective bowlers in the IPL. His mystery spin, combined with his control in the middle overs, made him one of the most valuable players for SRH. Rashid’s ability to turn games around with his wicket-taking skills was pivotal in SRH’s success. - Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladeshi all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, was an important part of SRH’s bowling attack in 2018. He provided valuable overs with his left-arm orthodox spin and contributed with key wickets in the middle overs. - Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma was another key figure in SRH’s pace attack. Known for his swing bowling, Sandeep’s ability to bowl in the powerplay made him a crucial asset in the team’s bowling line-up. - Billy Stanlake
Australian fast bowler Billy Stanlake, with his towering height and pace, was also a valuable addition to the SRH bowling lineup. Though he didn’t play all the matches, he made significant contributions when given the opportunity.
Key Bowlers of SRH in 2018 and Their Statistics
Here’s a look at the statistics of some of the key bowlers in SRH’s 2018 IPL campaign:
| Bowler | Matches Played | Wickets Taken | Average | Economy Rate | Best Bowling Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | 17 | 21 | 20.47 | 6.62 | 3/19 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 14 | 26 | 23.53 | 7.05 | 5/19 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 14 | 14 | 25.71 | 7.47 | 3/33 vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Sandeep Sharma | 8 | 10 | 27.90 | 7.48 | 3/25 vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Billy Stanlake | 3 | 4 | 29.00 | 8.13 | 2/20 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
Rashid Khan: SRH’s Best Bowler in 2018
After analyzing the performances of the key bowlers, Rashid Khan stands out as the best bowler for SRH in IPL 2018. His brilliant spin bowling, wicket-taking ability, and control over the game made him the most impactful bowler in the SRH squad.
Reasons Why Rashid Khan Was the Best Bowler for SRH in 2018
- Wicket-Taking Ability
Rashid Khan finished the 2018 IPL season with 21 wickets from 17 matches, with an impressive average of 20.47. His ability to break partnerships and control the game was unmatched. Rashid’s economy rate of 6.62 further highlights his efficiency in the middle overs, where he restricted the opposition and put pressure on the batsmen. - Match-Winning Performances
Rashid Khan had several match-winning performances in IPL 2018. One of his standout performances came against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he took 3 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs, including a crucial spell in the middle overs. His consistent performances in both the league stages and knockout rounds helped SRH reach the final. - Versatility in Bowling
Rashid’s leg-spin bowling is highly deceptive. He can bowl the googly, leg-break, and top-spin with accuracy, making it difficult for batsmen to pick him. His ability to bowl in different phases of the game, especially in the powerplay and death overs, allowed him to be effective in any situation. - Control in Pressure Situations
Rashid Khan is known for his ability to bowl in pressure situations, especially in tight overs when the team needs to restrict the opposition. His composure under pressure, combined with his wicket-taking ability, made him an invaluable asset for SRH.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: A Close Second
While Rashid Khan was undoubtedly SRH’s best bowler in 2018, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a close second, providing the necessary pace and swing in the powerplay and death overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Contribution to SRH in 2018
- Swing and Control
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s ability to swing the ball both ways, particularly in the powerplay, was one of the reasons SRH had such a strong start to the season. His economy rate of 7.05 in 14 matches showed his ability to contain batsmen and restrict the scoring. - Key Wickets in the Powerplay
Kumar’s ability to strike early was crucial for SRH. He picked up 26 wickets in 14 matches with a strike rate of 19.84, which highlights his effectiveness in the early stages of the innings. His 5-wicket haul (5/19) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) was one of the best performances of the tournament. - Death Over Specialist
Bhuvneshwar was also effective in the death overs, using his variations to take crucial wickets in the final overs. His experience and skill in controlling the game made him an indispensable part of the SRH bowling attack.
Shakib Al Hasan: The Silent Contributor
Although not as prolific in terms of wickets as Rashid Khan or Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shakib Al Hasan made crucial contributions with his left-arm orthodox spin. His role in the middle overs was vital in building pressure on the opposition and breaking partnerships.
Shakib Al Hasan’s Key Contributions
- Steady Bowling in the Middle Overs
Shakib’s economy rate of 7.47 across 14 matches showed his ability to control the game and prevent the opposition from scoring freely. He took 14 wickets in the season, and his 3-wicket haul (3/33) against Kolkata Knight Riders helped SRH get important breakthroughs at key moments. - Consistency and Experience
As an experienced international cricketer, Shakib’s ability to bowl consistent lines and lengths in high-pressure moments allowed SRH to maintain control over the game. His all-round ability added value both with the bat and ball.
The 2018 IPL season was a memorable one for Sunrisers Hyderabad, as they finished as the runners-up. A large part of their success can be attributed to their outstanding bowling unit. While several bowlers, such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shakib Al Hasan, and Sandeep Sharma, played crucial roles, Rashid Khan was the standout performer of the season.
Rashid’s ability to consistently take wickets, maintain a low economy rate, and deliver match-winning performances in key moments made him the best bowler for SRH in 2018. His contribution to SRH’s journey to the final was immense, and his form in 2018 solidified his reputation as one of the premier T20 bowlers in the world.
As SRH continues to build on its strong bowling lineup, Rashid Khan remains the key player around whom their bowling strategy revolves, and his brilliance in 2018 will be remembered as one of the best performances in IPL history.
