Sunrisers Hyderabad assistant coach James Franklin pointed to Pat Cummins’ tactical reading of Priyansh Arya and the bowling unit’s meticulous preparation as key factors behind SRH’s 33-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Franklin said Cummins used a pre-planned deception in the powerplay, then the team backed it up with plans shaped by batting feedback and smart adjustments as the pitch changed.
Key takeaways
- Cummins set up Priyansh Arya’s dismissal in the powerplay by bluffing with a bouncer outside off stump.
- Franklin credited Varun Aaron and the bowling group’s pre-match work, describing the approach as well thought out rather than accidental.
- SRH’s bowling plans were refined after the first innings based on what their batters observed about the pitch slowing down.
- Cummins’ figures of 2 for 34 proved decisive as SRH moved to the top of the points table.
- Franklin stressed that SRH’s execution across all 20 overs matched the demands of the conditions, not just the early phase.
Cummins’ bluff and the powerplay breakthrough
Franklin said the dismissal of Arya was rooted in a deliberate idea. He explained that SRH’s bowlers put significant preparation into their plans with Varun Aaron, the bowling coach, before games, and sometimes the ball delivered doesn’t have to be the exact one the field expects. Franklin noted that the team had seen similar deliveries earlier with comparable bounce and line, and Cummins effectively called the bluff again by repeating the setup.
In that powerplay moment, Cummins targeted Arya’s likely shot preference, aiming to take advantage of the batter’s tendency to go for the pull rather than the upper cut. Arya, Franklin said, fell for the trap and ended up pulling straight to Eshan Malinga at deep square leg, handing SRH their first breakthrough.
Franklin believed the impact of that early wicket carried through the innings, with Cummins’ spell of 2 for 34 playing a decisive role in SRH securing the 33-run win. He also tied the result to the bigger picture, adding that the victory helped SRH reach the top position in the points table.
Bowling plans shaped by batting feedback
Franklin further explained that SRH’s bowling strategy was influenced by what their batters reported after the first innings. He said the feedback showed the surface was slowing down as the innings progressed, which made batting harder. Specifically, Franklin pointed out that when Punjab Kings bowled off the pace cutters into the wicket, it became more difficult to time and hit effectively.
That insight, Franklin said, was then reflected in how the bowling group executed their plans during the chase. He highlighted that when a side bats first, the way it translates batting observations into bowling decisions in the second innings can become a real advantage, and SRH used that to implement their approach throughout the match.
Detailed preparation and stopping big scores
Franklin also spoke about the level of detail involved in SRH’s bowling discussions. While he said he isn’t involved in every in-depth conversation because he looks after a different part of the group, he stressed that the planning conducted by Varun with the bowling unit—alongside inputs from captain Pat Cummins and Dan, the head coach—is extremely thorough.
He argued that such precision is essential in the modern IPL environment, where top-order batters can be extremely powerful, particularly in the top-three and top-four roles across teams, and especially during powerplay overs. Franklin said SRH’s plan created early opportunities, removed dangerous openers within the first couple of overs, and then delivered another early edge a couple of overs later by getting Shreyas out early—giving SRH a strong foundation in the game.
Franklin concluded by acknowledging Punjab’s ability to bat deep. He praised Cooper for a standout performance in his first IPL hundred, adding that the innings will be something the batter can take pride in. Still, Franklin maintained that SRH’s bowling group, as a collective, executed their roles across the full 20 overs in a way that suited the match conditions.
