KKR vs SRH, IPL 2024: 'Wrong Move' - Ex-India Stars pinpoint the Glaring mistake from SRH against KKR in the Final

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have endured a rough start in the IPL 2024 Final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Pat Cummins chose to bat, but SRH found themselves in a challenging position from the outset. They are tottering at 62 for 5 after Ten overs, which incepted from the very first over.

In a repeat of their Qualifier 1 match, SRH lost openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head early. Mitchell Starc dismissed Abhishek Sharma with an exceptional delivery, removing SRH's first wicket. Travis Head's dismissal followed in the second over. Vaibhav Arora sent him back for a Golden Duck, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking the catch behind the stumps.

Abhishek and Head were instrumental for SRH during the league phase, amassing significant runs. However, both struggled in the playoffs. Head was dismissed for a duck in both playoff matches against KKR, while Abhishek managed only two runs in the Final.

But two former India players have slammed SRH team management for making Abhishek Sharma face the first ball in the innings. With Mitchell Starc steaming in, it was a daunting task for the youngster, and he perished early. But former India players Mohammad Kaif and WV Raman questioned the tactics from SRH to make Abhishek face the first ball. Both believe that Travis Head should have faced the first ball.

"Why did not Head take first strike against Starc? Familiar with him, plays him in the nets several days in a year! So much to learn and I am keen," WV Raman wrote on his X profile.

Mohammad Kaif also pinpointed the approach and said it was a wrong move from the Orange Army think tank.

"For final, Abhishek taking first strike, and not Head, was a defensive tactic. Starc has got Head out in the past but aren't the Aussies known to take up challenges head on? Wrong move SRH," Kaif wrote on X.

It will be an uphill task from here for the 2016 IPL champions to mount a competitive total as KKR are on top of their mark.