IPL 2026: 'The best amongst all' - Aakash Chopra praises SRH ahead of MI clash

Published - 29 Apr 2026, 14:23 IST | Updated - 29 Apr 2026, 14:23 IST

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has praised the Sunrisers Hyderabad for their improved death bowling in 2026 IPL ahead of their clash against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 29.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have picked up their season after a slow start, winning four of their last four matches. They have a fearsome batting unit, but it is their bowling that has been the standout.

Chopra praised their death bowling, bringing up stats to compare how the team fares in the death. Sunrisers have conceded just 9.17 runs per over in the last four overs of the innings on average.

"The SunRisers Hyderabad are on a winning spree. They have won four consecutive games. Where have things changed for the SunRisers Hyderabad? This team has an economy of 9.17 in the last four overs, the best amongst all. They concede 36 runs in four overs on average. The Mumbai Indians concede nearly 10.75 runs per over," Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel.

Chopra attributed the success of the Sunrisers' bowling unit in the back end to the two quicks Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain. Malinga has picked up 14 wickets, the joint-highest in the season. Sakib has picked up seven wickets in four games, including a four-fer on debut against the Rajasthan Royals. The return of skipper Pat Cummins, who bowled a brilliant spell of 1/27 in his four overs on his return against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

"You can give credit to Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain for that, and Pat Cummins has also come now. That is where the world has changed. The rise and rise of Eshan Malinga. Interestingly, in that one phase, they are the best amongst everyone. Who would have thought we would talk like this about Hyderabad?" he added.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders player praised their batting unit, which has played brilliantly. Abhishek Sharma leads the run-scoring charts for Sunrisers with 380 runs at a strike rate of 212.29. Heinrich Klaasen has scored 349 runs in a new middle-order anchor role, while Ishan Kishan has continued his T20 World Cup form with 312 runs in the season.

"They needed to chase only once, which was the last match, and they chased there as well, and beat RR at their home, where Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan were absolutely flawless, and Heinrich Klaasen came later and did the job. This team has scored more than 200 runs six times. They are a beast team," he said.

The Sunrisers sit in fourth place, with five wins in eight games. They have looked much improved since the start of the season and will hope to lock a playoff spot as early as possible.