FridayOL

Pat Cummins, the skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), delivered a candid assessment of his team's performance in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Despite a dominant 110-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their final league match, marking a strong finish to the season, Cummins acknowledged that SRH possessed the talent and potential to achieve greater success, but ultimately fell short of their goals.

The win against KKR showcased SRH's batting prowess and bowling strength, with a commanding display that left the opposition struggling. However, Cummins emphasized that consistency throughout the season was a major factor in their inability to secure a top-two spot and a direct qualification to the playoffs. "Look, we had the team to make the final most times," Cummins stated, highlighting the team's capabilities. "We just didn't get it done this year. There were a few games in the middle where we weren't quite good enough, and that hurt us in the long run."

SRH's campaign was characterized by moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of inconsistency. A strong start to the season saw them at the top of the points table, but a mid-season slump derailed their momentum. Cummins attributed this to a combination of factors, including injuries to key players and a lack of adaptability to different pitch conditions.

“We had a good squad, no doubt about it,” Cummins continued. “The batting was strong, the bowling had variety, and we had good leadership. But T20 is a funny game. You need to be on your game every single match, and we didn't manage that consistently enough.” He also touched upon the challenges of managing a diverse squad, acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining a cohesive unit throughout the demanding tournament schedule.

The victory against KKR provided a positive end to the season, allowing SRH to finish on a high note and providing valuable experience for the young players in the squad. Cummins expressed optimism for the future, believing that the lessons learned this year will contribute to the team's growth and success in the years to come. “It’s disappointing to not go further, but we'll learn from this and come back stronger next year,” he concluded.

While SRH's playoff dreams were dashed, the team's performance in the final matches demonstrated their potential and ability to compete with the best in the league. The future looks bright for Sunrisers Hyderabad, and fans will be eagerly awaiting their return to the IPL next season.