Former India captain Kris Srikkanth strongly criticized the SunRisers Hyderabad bowling unit for its underwhelming performance in the IPL 2026 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28. After being put in to bat, SRH posted a competitive 201/9 in their 20 overs.
Srikkanth didn’t hold back in his assessment, questioning the effectiveness of the bowling attack. He remarked that relying on bowlers like Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat as the main options leaves the team vulnerable, suggesting that such a combination lacks the quality needed at this level.
He further pointed out that this isn’t a reaction to just one game, but a broader concern about the team’s composition. According to him, SRH’s aggressive batting ambitions—like targeting massive totals—are undermined by a fragile bowling lineup that may not be able to defend even big scores.
Srikkanth also questioned some tactical decisions, including opening the bowling with Nitish Kumar Reddy, saying the strategy lacked clarity. He added that while players like Payne picked up wickets, they appeared fortunate rather than impactful, and others, including Malinga, were taken apart by the opposition.
Even with the possible return of Pat Cummins, Srikkanth believes the bowling attack looks too weak, highlighting concerns over pace, execution, and overall quality.
He concluded that unless SRH strengthens its bowling resources, the team could struggle to compete consistently this season.
