Super Sunday will feature another doubleheader. The first match will feature an exciting clash as Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals.
SRH is coming off a phenomenal win against Kings XI Punjab. Their confidence may be sky high as they absolutely dominated KXIP and defeated them by 69 runs. They would like to continue with the momentum.
RR, on the other hand, is struggling! After winning their first two matches, they have lost four in a row. They’re coming off a disappointing loss against Delhi Capitals. However, they might as well have the solution for their problems as world-class allrounder Ben Stokes is expected to finally join the side.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH had their dream performance in their last match. The side is heavily dependent on their top-order. The stacked pair of Johnny Bairstow and David Warner took the attack towards the KXIP. The duo played till 16th over as Bairstow scored a phenomenal 97 off just 55 balls and Warner scored 52 off 40 balls.
They bowled really good as well as they restricted KXIP to only 132 runs. Rashid Khan has found some serious form as he picked up three crucial wickets. Natarajan bowled beautifully as well.
Rajasthan Royals
Royals put up a really disappointing show in their last match against Delhi Capitals. They bowled well initially, however, lost the plot as Shimron Hetmyer’s innings and few cameos took DC to 184. However, despite the match being in Sharjah which is considered a good batting deck, RR struggled. They were restricted to only 138 runs as they lost the match by a big margin of 46 runs!
However, they would be looking forward to the addition of Ben Stokes. Their weakness has always been the pace bowling and middle-order batting. Stokes, however, can handle both the departments efficiently. Royals will have to win at least 6 of their 8 matches to take a place in the playoffs.
Fantasy XI team
DAVID WARNER (10.5) (C) – David Warner has been in phenomenal form and has been consistent as well. He’s coming off scoring 52 off just 40 balls. He’ll be my captain.
STEVE SMITH (9.5) – Skipper Steve Smith has been fairly consistent. He can turn the tables anytime he goes to bat!
JOHNNY BAIRSTOW (10) – After what he did in his last match, he makes a way in our team.
JOS BUTTLER (10) – Buttler started off rusty but scored a phenomenal 70 off just 44 balls against a top-quality MI bowling lineup.
MANISH PANDEY (9) – Manish Pandey has been in great form and has been given a new role of leading the middle-order.
BEN STOKES (VC) (9.5) / SANJU SAMSON – Stokes is probably one of the best all-rounders in the world. He can efficiently contribute to all three departments. There is still speculation whether Stokes will play or no. If not, we go forward with Sanju Samson and have Steve Smith as our vice-captain.
ABHISHEK SHARMA (8) – Abhishek Sharma can really add quickfire runs at the bottom. He can bowl well and can give you at least two overs.
MAHIPAL LOMROR (8) – Lomror has been an exciting addition to the RR side. He can take care of the middle-order.
JOFRA ARCHER (9) – Archer looked in great rhythm in his last match. He bowled well to pick three important wickets that too on a pitch like Sharjah.
KARTIK TYAGI (8) – The U-19 fame impressed everyone with his speed. He has a good short ball as well with which he took the wicket of Quinton De Kock in his IPL debut.
T. NATARAJAN (8.5) – Natarajan has been the find of the season so far as per bowling is concerned. He can literally bowl an over full of yorkers.
PREDICTION
The inclusion of Ben Stokes adds a whole different dimension to the RR team. However, that alone couldn’t completely sort out their problems. They will have to leave out Andrew Tye or Tom Curran to make a place for Stokes. Their Indian pace bowlers like Varun Aaron, Ankit Rajput, and Jaydev Unadkat have gone for runs.
SRH looks like a much-balanced side altogether. Sunrisers Hyderabad will therefore defeat Rajasthan Royals.
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