View from the IPL: Sunrisers, Dhoni, Sudharsan and more

SRH’s 300-plus hysteria has faded, CSK’s fortress has been breached, and Dhoni continues to defy time – but for how much longer?

The biggest question after the opening game was: when will Sunrisers Hyderabad score 300? The talk was of record-breaking totals, bowlers reduced to mere cannon-fodder, and another great leap forward in T20 batting.

But after one explosive performance, reality set in.

Against Lucknow Super Giants, SRH were humbled – dismissed for just 190 at home, then blown away in the chase with five overs to spare. And again this weekend, the same story. Their all-out attack faltered, and Aniket Verma’s rescue act wasn’t enough to salvage a competitive total against Delhi Capitals. The chase was a stroll.

When the smoke and mirrors recede, what’s left is a one-dimensional strategy with no Plan B. I was already worried about their ability to chase, but if they can’t set a total either, their campaign is already on thin ice.

The breach of Chepauk

Royal Challengers Bangalore stormed Chennai Super Kings’ fortress on Friday. At a ground where CSK win two-thirds of their games, RCB’s 196 looked at least 20 – if not 30 – above par. And so it proved, especially after a bewildering go-slow in the chase.

MS Dhoni increasingly resembles a proud old lion, ready but not willing to be forced into the wilderness. His role has shrunk – a deliberate move on his part. A few late boundaries, a standing ovation, and little more. He walked in at No. 9 against RCB, hitting sixes to the whistles of adoring fans in a lost cause.

He had more of a role against Rajasthan Royals, but only just. He still couldn’t get his team over the line. He’s a master at taking a chase deep, but is that enough anymore? He appears to have stepped back from the finisher role, choosing to bat even lower down the order.

The flashes of brilliance remain – the sharp stumping of Salt, the effortless straight six off Deshpande. But there’s something poetic about watching Dhoni rage against the dying of the light. The fans certainly don’t care – they’ll cheer a wicket just to see him walk to the crease.

One thing’s for sure: MS has earned the right to go out on his own terms. The question is when. And if he doesn’t decide, will someone else do it for him?

The rise of Sai Sudharsan

From an undisputed hero to an unsung one.

Much of the talk about Gujarat Titans’ batting has revolved around Shubman Gill and big-money signing Jos Buttler. But it’s the other member of the top three who has stolen the show.

Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 74 (41) when GT just fell short chasing 243 against PBKS. Then he did it again – 63 (41) in a match-winning hand against MI. The 23-year-old looks just as comfortable against pace as he does spin. He’s a star of the future.

GT’s bowling attack is strong. My pre-tournament worry was their batting depth. But if Sudharsan continues in this vein, it might not matter.

Delhi Capitals’ early momentum

Delhi have surprised me. They began with a freak chase of 210 – at one point 65-5, before a remarkable knock from Ashutosh Sharma turned the game on its head and overcame in-running odds of 50/1. Then they followed it up with a ruthless dismantling of SRH, led by Mitchell Starc’s 5-35.

The more I look at their balance, the more I like it. Can they keep this momentum going?

What next?

Punjab Kings remain my pick for the title. I’m happy with the 11/1 I took pre-tournament. They’ve had a long gap between games, and their next fixtures look easier than the first. It’s early days, but nothing I’ve seen so far changes my mind.

RCB’s resurgence has caught me off guard. I’d earmarked them as likely disappointments. They were flattered by their win over KKR – that was more about KKR’s ineptitude than RCB’s brilliance. But they looked genuinely good against CSK, with Rajat Patidar excelling against spin and Josh Hazlewood leading the attack. The jury’s still out, but they’ve been far better than I expected.

And what of Mumbai Indians? Another season, another sluggish start. They’ve assembled a star-studded squad, yet once again it isn’t clicking. How long before the fans remember how good righteous indignation feels – how good it felt last year to boo Hardik? Will they turn on their own team again? They’ll need the full support of their fans if they’re to overturn another early slump.

We’re only a few games in, but already the threads of this IPL narrative are being woven together. Strap yourselves in – it’s going to be a fascinating few weeks.