Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face off against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, May 16.
SRH currently hold the fourth position with two games left, offering them an opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs and potentially clinch second place in the IPL points table.
On the other hand, GT, with the lowest net run rate in the league, have been eliminated from contention and will play solely for pride.
SRH vs GT: Match Preview
In the intense battle for the playoffs, where five teams – CSK, SRH, DC, RCB, and LSG – are vying for the remaining two spots, SRH appears to be in the best position to secure a berth. Firstly, they are the only team among the five with two games yet to play. Secondly, both of these games will be hosted at their home ground. Additionally, the fact that their remaining opponents are two of the bottom three teams on the points table – Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings – further enhances SRH’s chances.
In this edition of the IPL, a seven-day hiatus from the action is a rare luxury, and Sunrisers Hyderabad is one of the privileged two teams to have enjoyed such a break. “Yeah, having a week’s break in an IPL tournament is definitely a bonus; I’ve been with SRH for over a decade now, and I don’t recall ever having such a break before,” remarks Sunrisers’ assistant coach, Simon Helmot. “It’s refreshing…nice to have the opportunity to catch up with friends and family.”
Their last match was on May 8, where openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma showcased a ruthless batting performance, propelling the team to a remarkable 167/0 in just 9.4 overs to secure victory against Lucknow Super Giants, significantly boosting their net run rate. This win knocked Mumbai Indians out of the playoff race, and during SRH’s break, two more teams suffered a similar fate as MI. Meanwhile, KKR and RR secured their spots, with the former also solidifying a place in the top two. SRH also has a chance to feature in Qualifier 1, but they need to win their next two matches and hope that Rajasthan Royals drop one, which would bring net run rate into play.
The first of these matches will be against GT, who were eliminated from playoff contention following a washout in Ahmedabad, where the captains waited for the duration of an entire T20 game before sharing points.
Can SRH regain their aggressive form after the week-long break? “I don’t think it affects momentum,” Helmot insists. “We’ve had some five-day breaks throughout the tournament, so we’re accustomed to having breaks. I don’t think it will change the way we prepare.”
SRH will return to action after an eight-day break, having comfortably defeated LSG by chasing down 166 runs even before the halfway mark. They will be buoyed by their recent success, rejuvenated after the break, and will hope that GT hasn’t saved their best for their final league game.
A significant contrast between SRH and GT this season is evident in their approach to hitting sixes. While SRH leads the IPL with 146 sixes, GT ranks at the bottom with just 67, only one more than the combined total of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. This discrepancy extends across all phases of the game, highlighting the importance of GT’s ability to contain SRH’s top order during the powerplay.
Speaking of aggression, SRH has ignited the crowd’s enthusiasm this season, with sell-out crowds in Hyderabad, a phenomenon not witnessed in previous seasons. “We remember the early years here at SRH when we were building a fan base. There may have been some empty seats in the crowd, and there were times when there was even support for the opposition. But hasn’t that changed?…I’ll say this year has seen the most vocal, enthusiastic, and supportive crowd that I can ever remember,” remarks Helmot, who considers the crowd their “13th impact player.” SRH will be eager to reciprocate that support with another victory, securing their place in the playoffs.
Their opponents, Gujarat Titans, have just been eliminated from the playoff race due to rain in Ahmedabad. In what has been a lackluster season for them, the Shubman Gill-led side will aim to finish on a positive note and, in the process, thwart the aspirations of the home team. Before the abandoned game, the Titans posted 231 against Chennai Super Kings, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan scoring centuries, registering their second-highest total in the IPL. They need their batsmen to deliver again, but more importantly, they require their bowlers to be on target against the relentless SRH batters who show no mercy to the opposition.
After being expensive in previous outings, Mohit Sharma redeemed himself with a match-winning 3 for 31 against CSK. The Titans will be hoping for a repeat performance from him and will also rely on former SRH player Rashid Khan’s expertise. The Titans have struggled with their middle order, using as many as 11 players from Nos. 4 to 7 this season, resulting in only two fifty-plus scores and the lowest average among all teams. Although late, they’ll be eager to rectify their mistakes and conclude their campaign with some consolation.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Sunrisers Hyderabad WLWLL (last five matches, most recent first)
Gujarat Titans WLLLW
SRH vs RR: Pitch Report & Conditions
The pitch at this venue has provided an intriguing balance, with teams batting first clinching victory in three out of five matches. Consequently, winning the toss might prompt the skipper to opt for setting a formidable total to exert pressure on the opposition. However, the forecast indicates spells of rain on match day, potentially prompting a reconsideration regarding the preferable choice between batting and bowling first. Temperature-wise, expect conditions ranging from 25°C to 36°C.
This venue witnessed SRH’s dominant 10-wicket victory over LSG, setting the stage for their successful run with a formidable total of 277 against MI back in March. SRH boasts an impressive home record this season, securing four wins out of five, with their only loss occurring against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where they faltered in chasing down a target of 207 on a slow surface, largely due to the effectiveness of change of pace and spin by the visiting side.
With the exception of the last game, which saw SRH potentially chasing down even 300, as per KL Rahul’s assessment, there has been only one instance in Hyderabad where neither team crossed the 200-run mark. This suggests another high-scoring encounter on Thursday evening, particularly if SRH bat first, as this venue has witnessed the most prolific run-scoring in the season. Despite the possibility of hot, humid, and cloudy conditions, along with potential rainfall, it’s unlikely to disrupt the proceedings significantly.
SRH vs GT: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 04
- Won by Sunrisers Hyderabad: 03
- Won by Gujarat Titans: 01
- No Result: 00
- First Played: April 11, 2022
- Last Played: March 31, 2024
A month and a half ago, during the early stages of the tournament when it was just a week old, GT faced SRH in Ahmedabad. In that encounter, GT successfully restricted SRH to a modest total of 162 runs. Subsequently, GT chased down the target quite comfortably, largely due to the impressive performance of their top four batsmen. However, since that match, SRH’s batters have notably transformed the dynamics of T20 batting with their outstanding performances.
SRH vs GT: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s lineup seems robust with no significant fitness issues reported. However, in terms of impact player strategy, potentially involving the substitution of a frontline batter for an additional bowler such as T Natarajan, Umran Malik, or Jaydev Unadkat is expected.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar stands out as a favorable matchup against GT skipper Shubman Gill, having dismissed him three times in 56 deliveries while conceding only 57 runs. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth could exploit Gill’s vulnerability to right-arm legspin, given his record of four dismissals to such bowlers this IPL. Furthermore, T Natarajan’s proficiency against left-handed batsmen, with seven southpaw scalps this season, makes him a valuable asset for SRH.
Predicted XII:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Travis Head
- Mayank Agarwal
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
- Marco Jansen/Glenn Phillips
- Abdul Samad
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Pat Cummins (capt)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- T Natarajan
- Umran Malik/Jaydev Unadkat
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans have experimented the most with their squad this season, fielding a total of 23 players in their quest to find the optimal combination, albeit without much success. With their campaign coming to a close, they might seize the opportunity to provide opportunities to lesser-tried players such as Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, and BR Sharath.
In the previous match against CSK, Wriddhiman Saha was sidelined due to a niggle, resulting in the inclusion of Matthew Wade and Kartik Tyagi making his debut for GT. Considering Saha’s recent lack of form with the bat, even if he has recuperated, GT could contemplate sticking to this lineup.
In the past five matches, Heinrich Klaasen has fallen victim to spinners three times, indicating a potential vulnerability to spin bowling. Similarly, Travis Head has been dismissed by spinners on five occasions during the same period, highlighting a susceptibility to spin. Consequently, the inclusion of spin bowlers like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad becomes a significant consideration against Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting lineup.
Predicted XII:
- Shubman Gill (capt)
- Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
- B Sai Sudharsan
- M Shahrukh Khan
- David Miller
- Vijay Shankar
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Mohit Sharma
- Noor Ahmad
- Josh Little/Azmatullah Omarzai
- R Sai Kishore/Sandeep Warrier
SRH vs GT: Players Under The Spotlight
SRH- Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
SRH gave wristspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth his first game last week in which he gave away just 27 runs in his four overs. He came into this season as Wanindu Hasaranga’s replacement and even though those are massive shoes to fill, another promising outing for Viyaskanth on Thursday will prove that his economy rate of 5.43 for MI Emirates in the ILT20 this year was not a one-off.
GT- Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill’s strike rate dipped from 157.80 in IPL 2023 to 147.40 this IPL in a season when more runs and more sixes are being hit than never before. He may have done that to shoulder more responsibility as captain, which often happens in the IPL, but with the T20 World Cup coming up, in which he is among the traveling reserves, Gill would want to sign off this IPL with a bang.
SRH vs GT: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and bat
- Powerplay: 70-80
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 230-240
- Prediction: Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the match.
Scenario 2:
- Gujarat Titans win the toss and bat
- Powerplay: 40-50
- Gujarat Titans: 170-180
- Prediction: Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the match.
SRH vs GT: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Heinrich Klaasen
- Batsman: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head (C), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudarshan
- All-rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shahrukh Khan
- Bowlers: Pat Cummins, T Natarajan (VC), Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Noor Ahmad
Team 2:
- Keeper: Heinrich Klaasen, Matthew Wade
- Batsman: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Sai Sudarshan
- All-rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shahrukh Khan
- Bowlers: Pat Cummins, T Natarajan, Rashid Khan
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Gujarat Titans (GT), IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Thursday – May 16
Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Where to watch SRH vs GT Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch SRH vs GT Live Telecast: Star Sports
