5 Players to watch out for in the IPL 9 Qualifier 2

The stage is all set for the second most important clash of IPL 9; Gujarat Lions taking on the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Delhi for the all-important place in the finals. One team will walk out as the second finalist after the match and take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the coveted trophy on 29 May. But for now, the Lions and the Sunrisers have one last roadblock in their path to final, the Qualifier 2. While the Gujarat Lions lost a close game to RCB in Qualifier 1, the SRH have done exceedingly well to beat the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator to make it to the Qualifier 2. Coming on a winning note and more importantly having won a match at the same venue, definitely goes in the favor of Sunrisers. The Lions, however, would like to think otherwise. Here are the top 5 Players to watch out for in the IPL 9 Qualifier 2: 1. Dhawal Kulkarni: Dhawal Kulkarni. (Photo Source: BCCI) The pacer Dhawal Kulkarni had almost won the qualifier for his team, Gujarat Lions, against the rampaging RCB. His fiery spell ripped through the batting heavy Royal Challengers top order. He dismissed the man who seemed to be in a bowler-wrecking form, Virat Kohli for a duck. He ended with a spell of 4/14 and had seen the opposition go down at 29/5. Had he got a couple of overs more, the result could have been different for sure. The SRH top order definitely needs to come out with a specific plan to deal with Kulkarni. 2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source: BCCI) If Dhawal has been the bowler for the Lions this season, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the man for the orange army. He forms a lethal partnership with Mustafizur Rahman and the two of them are known to choke the opposition in the death overs. Bhuvneshwar is the Purple cap holder at the moment with 21 wickets to his name in 15 matches. He has been very accurate with his yorkers and he clocked speeds inching 140 in the last match against the Knight Riders. He has often started off the innings with a miser over and has bowled quite a few maidens too. For SRH to win the crucial match, this man will hold a lot of importance with the ball. 3. Dwayne Smith: Dwayne Smith. (Photo Source: BCCI) The ‘Doctor’ has been the man of big occasions. Dwayne Smith has the reputation of playing big knocks in crucial matches. He has done it in the past for the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings; the question is will he do the same for the Lions? Smith was the lone ranger for the Lions in the last match they played. Staring down at the gun barrel, the team was struggling at 9/3 with the top 3 back in the dugout. It was Smith, who clicked on the night and came up with belligerent 73. What works in his favor is the fact that he doesn’t cease to play his natural game. In the process, even if he stays at the crease for a short while, he ensures he amasses some handy runs. 4. Yuvraj Singh: Yuvraj Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yuvraj Singh, ever since making a comeback from the ankle injury this season, is looking like a different player altogether. The lofted shots over long on and flicks through midwicket have given glimpses of the vintage Yuvraj already. He came good for the Sunrisers on a tricky Kotla wicket when they played KKR. He has already chipped in with a couple of 40s for the Hyderabad franchise and has emerged as a macth winner for them. With the kind of form Yuvi is in and the way he is hitting the ball nice and clean, he will be the wicket to pick for the Lions if they wish to get through the opposition middle order. 5. Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: BCCI) Suresh Raina struggled in the earlier part of the tournament but has shown signs of being back to his usual self in the last few matches. Ever since he took a break for a game, he has been hitting the ball hard and well; the only exception being the last match when he failed to get into double digits. Prior to that game, he hit two consecutive fifties to see his side make it to the top of the points table. Suresh Raina has a prolific record when it comes to the playoffs matches. His 87 off 25 balls in the Qualifier 2 of the 2014 edition of the IPL had lit up the stadium, however, he failed to take his side to the finals back then. With an opportunity coming his door yet again, he will surely like to make amends. After all, not every player gets a second chance.

Topics

Featured Section

Current Series

Cricket Fantasy Tips

Cricket Stats

IPL Teams

ICC Rankings

Interviews

Twitter Reactions

Cricket Appeal

Social Tracker

More Links

# Follow Us

Other Sports

5 Players to watch out for in the IPL 9 Qualifier 2

2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Latest Articles

Virat Kohli tears up after qualifying for playoffs

Is this a melancholic end to MS Dhoni's IPL career?

CSK's 2nd Innings Highlights against RCB in Match 68