Heroes of the Day - SRH vs MI - May 1, 2013

Ishant Sharma (2 for 15)

Restricting the Mumbai Indians‘ big hitting line-up to 129 was a superb achievement by the Sunrisers’ bowling unit, in tune with their previous performances at home. The pick of the bowlers was Ishant Sharma, who bowled 16 dot balls, picked up 2 wickets and conceded just 15 runs. In spite of 2 unforgivable errors, Ishant was a hero for the Sunrisers and the Man of the Match. He first compensated for a free-hit 6 with a double wicket maiden, accounting for Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik. He then spilled a catch at long off from Dwayne Smith, with the ball going for 6, but made up for it with another superb over next up.

The Hyderabad Spin Twins: Amit Mishra & Karan Sharma (2 for 24 and 0 for 25)

Amit Mishra bowled a tight spell to picking up 2 wickets at 6.00 per over and almost reclaimed the Purple Cap. The highlight of his spell was his final over, faced by Pollard. His first delivery was pitched just outside off and came into Pollard, almost knocking back his off-stump. The next delivery was a perfect leg spinner wide of off-stump that almost got an edge to slip.

Karan Sharma was given the responsibility to open the bowling and again bowled the right length with a good mix of leg spinners and wrong ‘uns. With leading bowlers like Steyn, Ishant Sharma and Mishra in the attack, the opposition can target a young spinner like him, but Sharma has been very economical every time he has bowled in the tournament.

Shikhar Dhawan (73 runs of 55 balls)

Shikhar ‘Gabbar’ Dhawan made the pitch and the MI bowlers look ordinary, whereas every other batsman seemed to struggle. Despite losing his opening partner and captain at crucial moments, he timed the chase perfectly and never let the asking rate rise above 7 per over. The key, as he said, was his ‘shape’, as his lofted shots over the off side and square-leg were more timing than power. He took the attack to the likes of Johnson, Bhajji and Malinga. Dhawan punished anything short on either side of the wicket and was not shy to come down the track to generate momentum against the spinners. Till now they were dependant on their bowlers, but Dhawan is a game changer at the top of the order who has hit 2 fifties in 3 games.

Tom Moody (Sunrisers coaching team)

A lot of credit must go to the coaching staff of the SRH. Considered to be the weakest team in the tournament on paper, they have managed to create a winning formula. Credit must be given to Moody for selecting impact players like Sammy and Perera in the auction, and having the confidence in youngsters like Hanuma Vihari and Karan Sharma. Fort Hyderabad has not been breached till date and credit must be given to Moody for making the most of their options – the only team playing with 2 leg spinners, the most accurate bowling lineup and a gradually improving batting line-up.