IPL 2022, SRH vs LSG: Sunrisers Hyderabad have task cut out against Lucknow Super Giants

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been traditional slow starters and the 61-run defeat in the season-opener of this edition's IPL has only added to their woes. All their hopes of a quick reversal of fortunes after a horror last season were dashed by Rajasthan Royals, who put their attack to the sword and wrecked their batting inside the powerplay. The manner of defeat will certainly rankle. While the bowlers, barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, showed absolute lack of control, their batsmen were all at sea against Prasidh Krishna upfront and scoreboard pressure meant Yuzvendra Chahal scythed through the middle.

Sunrisers had hoped the problem of an inept middle order that failed to give enough cushion to their bowlers was solved. But Nicholas Pooran's cheap dismissal and the plan to open with Abhishek Sharma that did not yield the desired result meant they were revisiting their old failings - even if they were chasing down a target. The only bright spot was the breezy partnership between Aiden Markram and Washington Sundar, who has made a case for batting higher than at No. 8.

They should've used the downtime after their previous game to plug at least a few of these holes, because up next for them is the challenge from red-hot Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai on Monday. A lot will depend on the success of Sunrisers' overseas players. Skipper Kane Williamson, Pooran, Markram and Romario Shepherd have big roles to play as Lucknow come into this match high on confidence after their six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings. After having lost the match of debutants to Gujarat Titans by five wickets, Lucknow came back splendidly to chase down Chennai's 210/7. The SRH bowling attack has its task cut out against