Boult-McCullum faceoff as SRH take on CSK

Last time around, things didn’t go according to plan. In fact, it was Trent Boult’s first IPL match against the Chennai Super Kings when the current table toppers hammered the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 45 runs.

Last time around, things didn’t go according to plan. In fact, it was Trent Boult’s first IPL match against the Chennai Super Kings when the current table toppers hammered the Sunrisers Hyderabad by 45 runs.

Sunrisers-Hyderabad-s-Trent-Boult-celebrates-the-wicket-of-Royal-Challengers-Bangalore-AB-De-Villiers-during-IPL-8-match-at-Chinnaswamy-Stadium-in-Bengaluru-PTI-Photo

The hype taking on friend and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was what everyone was talking about before the start. But he isn’t worried.

“It’s extremely hard to (keep McCullum in check). He’s in great form and I’m eager to get another crack at it,” laughed the 25-year-old left-arm fast bowler.

Boult has been garnering attention ever since his exploits at the recent World Cup. From being a frontline bowler in Tests, he had only 16 ODIs under his belt before the mega event Down Under.

But that didn’t stop the youngster from being the joint highest wicket-taker (22 with Mitchell Starc) in the World Cup, and he was the biggest winner among New Zealanders, with the Sunrisers paying Rs 3.8 crore for his services.

It took him some time but in the last match against Kings XI Punjab, Boult finished with 3/19.

“I feel I can approach McCullum if I have ideas. We are close friends. Maybe not on ideas on how to get him out,” he smiled. “But it is a unique experience to be playing against the captain of our side.” Boult said.

Even Shikhar Dhawan agrees that having Boult in the team’s ranks will be helpful.

Sunrisers have a tough task ahead. With only three wins from seven matches, they lie fifth in the table. With the middle order not performing up to the mark, pressure is on Shikhar and captain David Warner.

“There was little bit of pressure as the middle order was not scoring runs. But it’s part of the game. You take it on on your shoulders and move the team,” shrugged Shikhar.

Playing the Super Kings on home turf, their first match in the city, a lot rides on how they perform on Saturday.