Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) continue their ongoing IPL (Indian Premier League) campaign by taking on Rajasthan Royals (RR). Both sides will face off at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad in the 50th game of the tournament on Thursday, May 2.
SRH vs RR: Match Preview
Sunrisers come into this match on the back of two consecutive losses, making their encounter with the formidable Royals a significant challenge.
In contrast, Rajasthan Royals have been in superb form throughout the tournament. With eight victories in nine matches, they currently lead the points table with 16 points. With four consecutive wins, RR aims to secure their ninth win of the season.
IPL seasons often witness unexpected twists, as was the case with Rajasthan Royals last year when they faltered after a promising start, missing out on the playoffs. Learning from past mistakes, they are now in a strong position with eight wins out of nine games, reminiscent of their previous struggles.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, known for their explosive batting performances, faced setbacks in their last two matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. These losses highlighted vulnerabilities in their batting lineup, especially when their key players fail to deliver. With the playoffs approaching, SRH needs to address these issues promptly.
Rajasthan Royals boast one of the most effective bowling attacks in the IPL, having limited opponents to low scores consistently. This clash between their bowling prowess and Sunrisers’ formidable batting lineup promises an intriguing contest.
As the Royals maintain their momentum with a balanced performance from both batsmen and bowlers, they seek to maintain their winning streak. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad must regroup and address their recent shortcomings to stay competitive in the tournament.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Sunrisers Hyderabad LLWWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals WWWWL
SRH vs RR: Pitch Report & Conditions
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad has witnessed some high-scoring encounters this season. In a recent match, the hosts posted a formidable 277, while their opponents managed a challenging 246 in response. The trend continued with teams comfortably chasing down targets, as seen when Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased 165 against Chennai Super Kings.
While batting has been dominant, there has been a noticeable assistance for spinners in the recent matches at this venue. This factor could bring players like Yuzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin into play, adding an intriguing dimension to the game.
Overall, the pitch at Hyderabad favors batsmen, with runs flowing freely. Opting to bat first and setting a substantial total appears to be the ideal strategy, given the high-scoring nature of the pitch.
With an average first innings total of 216 in IPL 2024 matches held at this venue, it’s evident that this pitch offers a paradise for batsmen, setting the stage for potentially exhilarating contests.
SRH vs RR: Head-to-head
- Total Matches Played: 18
- Sunrisers Hyderabad Wins: 9
- Rajasthan Royals Wins: 9
- No Result: 0
- First Match Played: 27th April 2013
- Last Match Played: 7th May 2023
SRH vs RR: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad might opt to reintroduce legspinner Mayank Markande into their lineup, potentially replacing fingerspinner Shahbaz Ahmed. Considering the dominance of right-hand batters in the Royals lineup, both spinners could be utilized, although it’s noteworthy that spinners have been easier to score off in Hyderabad this year compared to pacers. Sanju Samson’s proficiency as the most effective spin six-hitter since IPL 2022, closely followed by Jos Buttler, might influence Sunrisers’ bowling strategy. T Natarajan is expected to continue as an Impact Player, rotating in and out for a batter, akin to Anmolpreet Singh’s role.
Despite his recent lean patch, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has historically performed well against Jos Buttler, having dismissed him six times in T20 cricket. Additionally, Bhuvneshwar has accounted for Samson on three occasions in the IPL, making him a key asset for Sunrisers against the top order of Rajasthan Royals. T Natarajan could prove valuable against Riyan Parag, given his past success in dismissing him twice in just 15 deliveries.
Predicted XII:
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Abdul Samad
- Pat Cummins (capt)
- Mayank Markande/Shahbaz Ahmed
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Jaydev Unadkat
- T Natarajan
- Anmolpreet Singh
Rajasthan Royals
The bowling strength of Rajasthan Royals comes at the expense of batting depth, extending only to No. 7, with R Ashwin serving as a floater in the lineup, providing length when necessary. Despite this, the formidable opening partnership alone, coupled with the form of Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag, has negated the need for significant lower-order support. Yuzvendra Chahal typically serves as their Impact Sub.
While Chahal has dismissed Heinrich Klaasen three times in T20 cricket, Rajasthan Royals might hesitate to use him against Klaasen, given the batter’s impressive record of 93 runs at a strike rate of 226.82 against the legspinner. Instead, they could consider targeting Travis Head with spin, although this strategy carries some risk considering the presence of Abhishek Sharma, who is proficient in handling spin bowling. Utilizing an over of Sandeep Sharma, known for his change of pace, early in the innings could prove productive.
Predicted XII:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Jos Buttler
- Sanju Samson (capt & wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Rovman Powell
- R Ashwin
- Trent Boult
- Avesh Khan
- Sandeep Sharma
- Yuzvendra Chahal
SRH vs RR: Players Under The Spotlight
SRH- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s journey from being a crucial member of the India squad in the last T20 World Cup to his current situation, where he has slipped down the pecking order, reflects a significant shift. Despite facing challenges, he remains a pivotal figure for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite his recent struggles with an economy rate of 10.18 and an average of 67.2 in this IPL season, Bhuvneshwar’s head-to-head record against Jos Buttler is impressive, with six dismissals in 91 balls for just 104 runs. This statistic underscores his potential impact in the upcoming match.
RR- Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer’s limited time at the crease this season is actually a testament to the success of Rajasthan Royals’ top-order batsmen. While Hetmyer has faced only 36 balls, his teammates above him have collectively amassed more than 300 runs, resulting in fewer opportunities for him to showcase his skills. However, despite his limited chances, Hetmyer has made an impact, scoring 70 runs off those 36 balls, including five fours and five sixes. His ability to finish games makes him a valuable asset for Rajasthan Royals, even with limited time on the field.
SRH vs RR: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Rajasthan Royals win the toss and bat.
- Power Play score: 65-75.
- First Innings Score: 210-220.
- Result: Rajasthan Royals win the match.
Scenario 2:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad win the toss and bat.
- Power Play score: 60-70.
- First Innings Score: 200-210.
- Result: Rajasthan Royals win the match.
SRH vs RR: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1
- Keeper: Heinrich Klaasen, Sanju Samson (C), Jos Butler
- Batsman: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Riyan Parag
- Bowlers: T Natarajan, Pat Cummins, Yuzvendra Chchal
Team 2
- Keeper: Heinrich Klaasen (VC), Sanju Samson , Jos Butler
- Batsman: Travis Head (C), Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Riyan Parag
- Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR), IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Thursday – May 2
Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Where to watch SRH vs RR Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch SRH vs RR Live Telecast: Star Sports
