Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) used to be a formidable side under the Australia veteran David Warner in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Warner built Sunrisers from scratch and guided the team to a title victory in 2016. In the maiden trophy win, Warner notched up 848 in 17 matches at a strike rate of 151.42 and ended up as the second-leading run-getter in the competition.
In 2018, Warner couldn’t show up in the tournament due to his infamous sandpaper gate that happened during Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson handled the captaincy mantle for the 2016 champions and led the team to the final but couldn't win the trophy.
Williamson looked efficient as a batter and became the winner of the Orange Cap with 735 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 142.44. Records corroborate that Sunrisers perform extraordinarily when their batters perform exceptionally. After the last three disappointing seasons, SRH fans will want their batters to shine in the upcoming IPL edition and guide the team to the trophy again after eight years. However, for now, Sunrisers' supporters will have to satiate themselves with their team's five best batting innings.
Here are the top five batters who showcased their talent for SRH in IPL history:
5. Heinrich Klaasen’s 104 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2023
SRH couldn’t live up to their fans’ expectations in the 2023 IPL but their stalwart Heinrich Klaasen played some excellent innings. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, when Sunrisers hosted RCB, Klaasen scored his maiden hundred and became the fourth SRH batter to hit a century.
South Africa batter’s knock came at a time when Hyderabad were two down at a score of 28. Riding on his 104-run knock off 51 balls, Sunrisers set a target of 187 which was achieved easily by Challengers. Despite SRH’s crushing defeat, Klaasen received appreciation for his scintillating century.
4. Jonny Bairstow’s 114 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2019
England veteran Jonny Bairstow made his IPL debut in 2019 for SRH. Donning the Orange jersey, he looked fabulous with his bat and won the confidence of the team. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, he produced his best IPL knock and helped SRH register their biggest victory (by runs) in the league.
Playing the third game of his IPL career, Bairstow took RCB’s bowling unit to the cleaners and hit his maiden ton. The versatile opener went back to the pavilion after scoring 114 off 56 and his team racked up 231 runs on the board. Bairstow’s batting emboldened SRH bowlers as they folded the visitors on 113.
3. David Warner’s 126 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2017
David Warner served SRH from 2014 to 2021 and in those seven years, he not only delivered a title to the team’s fans but also some unforgettable memories. Back in 2017, he became the first Sunrisers’ batter to hit an IPL century. He scripted history against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Winning the toss in match 37 of the 2017 IPL, KKR captain Gautam Gambhir elected to bowl first. Against Kolkata’s quality bowling attack, Warner played an unbeaten 126-run knock off just 59 and made Gambhir regret his decision. The Aussie opener’s batting show also helped SRH to post 209 runs in 20 overs.
Following the massive total of 210, KKR capitulated on 161 as SRH bowlers looked confident after their captain’s breathtaking knock. Warner’s batting effort was recognised at the end of the game as he received the Player of the Match award for his brilliant innings.
2. Ben Cutting’s 39 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016
When SRH’s 2016 IPL final win over Challengers is discussed among cricket fans, Ben Cutting’s name always pops up. The Aussie stalwart was the one who shone with both bat and ball and shattered the hearts of several RCB fans. His spunky performance also made him the Player of the Match.
In front of a massive crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Cutting came to bat at number six and took his team to a huge score of 208 with his unbeaten 39-run knock off just 15 deliveries. His blistering innings eventually hurt RCB as the Kohli-led side fell eight runs short in the end and lost the golden opportunity to lift the trophy.
1. David Warner’s 69 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2016
David Warner helped SRH earn a lot of supporters after the 2016 IPL season. The southpaw played attacking cricket throughout the season and guided Hyderabad to their maiden trophy victory. In the final against RCB, he displayed his wrath again and delivered a fierce start to his team.
His 69-run innings off just 38 deliveries set a base for his predecessors to play fearlessly and help SRH put up a competitive total on the board. During his rapid knock, Warner hit 11 boundaries (eight fours and three maximums). His sensational batting effort is often recalled by his fans.
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