Pat Cummins Praises Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain as SRH Stars Shine
A Captain’s Dream: The Rise of Malinga and Sakib at SRH
In the high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League, where batting fireworks often steal the headlines, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins has turned his focus to the unsung heroes of his bowling attack. As one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, Cummins is accustomed to leading from the front, yet he openly admits that he has found himself learning from his teammates this season.
The Impact of Malinga and Sakib
The duo of Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain has been nothing short of a revelation for the Hyderabad franchise. Malinga has established himself as the team’s spearhead, leading the wicket-taking charts with an impressive 19 strikes across 14 matches. Meanwhile, in his debut season, Sakib Hussain has proven that he belongs at the top level, claiming 15 wickets in just 10 games.
Their synergy was on full display during the crucial clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) last Friday. Tasked with defending a mammoth total of 255 for 4, the bowlers needed to maintain composure. Malinga and Sakib delivered exactly that, utilizing well-disguised slower balls to stifle the RCB chase. Together, they finished with combined figures of 8-0-64-3, an economy rate of 8.00 that is highly commendable given the batting-friendly conditions.
Mastering the Powerplay
A significant portion of their success this season has come during the crucial powerplay phase. In the RCB encounter, Cummins entrusted them with three overs during the opening spell. Both bowlers responded by picking up a wicket each, effectively breaking the momentum established by RCB’s Venkatesh Iyer. Their ability to mix up variations has made them a nightmare for opposition batters.
Speaking after the match, Cummins expressed his genuine admiration for the pair. “They’ve been fantastic,” the skipper remarked. “I’ve actually learned a lot off those guys as well, the way Eshan’s bowled all season, particularly in that powerplay, he’s been the form bowler of the comp, with his slower balls and he’s mixing up different things, and of course, Sakib there as well, so captain’s dream.”
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
The victory against RCB was a monumental effort that saw SRH conclude the league stage tied on 18 points with both RCB and the Gujarat Titans (GT). While the top two spots went to GT and RCB based on a superior net run rate (NRR), SRH’s performance showcased their resilience. Cummins acknowledged that while the team aimed for the top-two finish—which would have required restricting RCB to below 166—the conditions in Hyderabad made it a significant challenge.
“It’s a pretty good wicket. I knew a lot of things had to go our way,” Cummins noted. “Yeah, it got close. I think they were trying to make sure they got to that score, so we threw a few different things at them, but yeah, it’s still a big win.”
As the tournament enters its final phase, the stakes could not be higher. RCB is set to face GT in Qualifier 1 on May 26. Meanwhile, SRH will prepare for the Eliminator on May 27. Their opponent is yet to be determined, with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all still in the mix for the final playoff spot. With Malinga and Sakib operating at such a high level, SRH will certainly fancy their chances of making a deep run in the tournament.
