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The already ousted Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would look to play a spoilsport in Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) hopes of qualifying to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023's play-offs when the two sides face each other on Thursday (May 18).
SRH are reeling at bottom of the points table with just eight points in 12 matches. However, their playoffs hopes were dashed earlier in the tournament when defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) thrashed them 34-runs on May 15.
Did SRH under utilise Umran Malik?
SRH's team management came under scanner after their back-to-back poor performances in the ongoing season of the IPL. Many cricket pundits underlined the under utilisation of team's tearaway speedster Umran Malik who was consistently dropped from SRH's playing XI in the initial phase of the glitzy league. Umran has only featured in seven games so far for SRH in IPL 2023 and has only taken five wickets.
Was Umran utilised properly?
Meanwhile, former SRH's star batter Yusuf Pathan questioned Orange Army's team management for not utilising Umran properly and continuously sidelining him in the current season of the IPL.
“Last year, Umran Malik performed really well, and you all took credit for that. But this year, he needed your support. But did he get that? Was he utilised properly? He is a young bowler, he is India's future. And he has played well for India whenever he turned up in international colours. You haven't used him properly, and the same can be said for many players in the franchise,” Yusuf Pathan told ESPNCricinfo ahead of SRH vs RCB match on Thursday.
“You should know when to back your players. If you talk about Abhishek Sharma... you played him as an opener last year and he did well. But this year, you juggled with his batting positions, and even benched him at one point. You're supposed to play with opposition's mind, not with your own players'!” Pathan concluded.
Notably, Umran was exceptional with the ball in the previous edition of the IPL where he snared 22 wickets including a brilliant fifer but this time around the star pacer didn't get enough opportunities to prove his mettle.
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