The first Sunday of this year’s Indian Premier League season is a double-header, with last season’s runners-up SunRisers Hyderabad taking on the Rajasthan Royals in the afternoon in what will be a repeat of last year’s Qualifier 2 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on March 23.
For the game, here are our preview and predictions.
The SunRisers’ success last season arrived on the back of having the most explosive batting lineup in the league. For this season, they have added more firepower to their batting with the addition of Ishan Kishan.
However, given the nature of the wickets produced at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, SRH have significantly strengthened their bowling attack. Players like Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel will take wickets as well as stem the flow of runs, while the wily old campaigner Adam Zampa will be key for taking wickets during the middle overs.
At the same time, the Royals, who’ve been one of the most consistent sides in recent years, had a very average time at the auction table as they struggled to put together a decent squad. They retained most of their key batters, though there is a Jos Buttler–sized hole they failed to plug.
Having failed to retain the services of the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin, RR will be depending on the experience of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. Their fast-bowling attack is well-balanced, though, with Jofra Archer leading the line alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, and Akash Madhwal.
Despite finishing third in the regular-season table behind SRH last season, RR have regressed, while SRH have got better and strengthened their bowling attack. On paper, given SRH’s batting firepower, it’ll be difficult for RR to restrict them and come out on top.
The Hyderabad pitch has been a batting-friendly wicket. Scores of over 200 are common here. Fast bowlers can take advantage of seam and swing conditions early in the game, but as the match progresses it becomes easier for batters to score. The captain winning the toss is likely to opt for bowling first.
The weather is expected to be clear for this afternoon clash, while the temperature is expected to be around 23°C with 95% humidity. There is no chance of rain during the game.
Fantasy XI: Sanju Samson, Heinrich Klassen, Travis Head, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Abhishek Sharma (c), Riyan Parag (vc), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Pat Cummins, Jofra Archer
Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Winners Prediction: SunRisers Hyderabad
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