Sunrisers Hyderabad have only just lost their third game in a row for the first time in this year’s Indian Premier League. While their place in the qualifier is certain, they could be toppled from the top of the league by Chennai Super Kings should they win commandingly against Kings XI Punjab.

The bowling of Sunrisers Hyderabad was deemed as the best in the tournament but over the last three games, it has been their Achilles heel. While their batting has been good, their bowling has failed to contain the opponents with pressure.

This is what happened against the Kolkata Knight Riders as Dinesh Karthik’s men marauded over the Sunrisers while chasing 173. Shreevats Goswami, the wicketkeeper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, however, believes that the batsmen are to blame for not posting a bigger target in the first place and that the other teams are better prepared against their bowlers now.

"Not every day we can turn up and defend a small total, which we have done in the past. When we come to the 14th game, obviously the other team will be more prepared and have seen our spinners. Rashid [Khan] and Shakib [Al Hasan] have been doing really well while defending the totals [and] obviously [so have] all the fast bowlers. So I think the other teams have come better prepared against us.”

Meanwhile, speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Graeme Swann spoke in similar terms to Goswami. The former England off-spinner defended Shakib and Rashid because the pitch wasn’t assisting the spinners much.

"Maybe [the bowlers are getting tired]. I think the seamers are going around the park early on. I mean, the spin is still there - Shakib [Al Hasan] and Rashid Khan are still very effective bowlers, but the wicket didn't really turn tonight. Rashid gave away 41 off his four, that doesn't normally happen.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Chennai Super Kings or Kolkata Knight Riders in the qualifiers on 22^nd of May. Sunrisers will hope that they get out of this rut in that game.