IPL 2023: Match 52, Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted Playing XI vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rajasthan Royals IPL 2023 has started to go into a tailspin as last year's losing finalists have now lost four of their last five matches after a bright start to the competition. Sanju Samson's side, especially the batters, looked sluggish in their previous outing and needs to get a win under their belt to uplift their spirits.

Following a chastening defeat against table toppers Gujarat Titans, the home side have got a perfect opportunity to get back into their groove as they face a struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad in their upcoming fixture. The onus will be on Rajasthan's seasoned opener Jos Buttler to rediscover his form with the bat at the business end of the tournament. Meanwhile, the middle-order batters will also need to step up to the plate in the upcoming crucial encounters.

Here's Rajasthan Royals’ predicted XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad:

Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler

Rajasthan Royals' in-form young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal had a rare quiet outing with the bat against reigning champions Gujarat Titans in this year's competition. The southpaw, who has been in glorious run-scoring form in the last few matches, had to make the long way back to the pavilion after a horrible mixup with his skipper cost him his wicket in the powerplay.

Jos Buttler is amidst an uncharacteristically lean patch in the ongoing 16th edition of the tournament. The explosive Engish opener, who was one of the top run-getters at the start of the competition was dismissed for yet another low score against Gujarat Titans in his previous outing.

Middle Order: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel

Under-fire Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson was the only batter who got the measure of the surface in Jaipur in the game against Gujarat Titans. The stylish stroke maker played some exquisite shots to ensure a healthy powerplay for his side. However, Samson failed to capitalise on his brisk start as he fell after playing a loose shot after the field restrictions.

Devdutt Padikkal was one of several Rajasthan Royals batters who were absolutely clueless against Gujarat Titans' majestic Afghan spinners. The southpaw's run-a-ball stay at the crease was halted after left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad caught him plumb in front of the wicket. 

Last year's losing finalists were hoping for a magical innings from the hard-hitting Shimron Hetmyer after losing a flurry of wickets in the middle overs. However, the Carribean power-hitter, who was the hero for the Men in Pink in their last meeting with Titans, had no answer to Rashid Khan's mastery of the ball as he was trapped in front of the wicket by the Afghan wizard.

Rajasthan's young talented dasher Dhruv Jurel was another batter who failed to read the Afghan spinners as he became 18-year-old wrist spinner Noor Ahmand's second victim of the night. In all fairness, Jurel is still new to the top level and could not be blamed for his failure against GT's star-studded bowling line-up.

Bowlers: Ravi Ashwin, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was promoted up the batting order to tackle the threat posed by Gujarat Titans' spinners. However, Ashwin was done all ends up an absolute peach from Rashid Khan. He was rendered ineffective with the ball as well, conceding eight runs in his solitary over in the contest.

Rajasthan's star left-arm pacer Trent Boult also endured a rare off day with the ball for the Men in Pink against the defending champions. He failed to pick even a single wicket in the match, conceding 28 runs in his four-over spell. Sanju Samson will hope that the veteran pacer returns to his best in the upcoming match against Sunirsers Hyderabad.

Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa will be hoping to get over his forgettable performance against the Titans as soon as possible. The leggie was taken to the cleaners by his nemesis Hardik Pandya as the Gujarat skipper dispatched him for four consecutive boundaries in an over. He leaked 40 runs in his three overs.

Veteran Indian leggie Yuzvendra Chahal was the only bowler from the Rajasthan camp who managed to pick a wicket against Hardik Pandya's side. He outfoxed Titans' opener Shubman Gill with a classical delivery to hand his side the only breakthrough in the match. He was also one of the least expensive bowlers in the match.

Sandeep Sharma was another Rajasthan Royals bowler who managed to keep the opposition batters quiet in a one-sided clash against the league leaders in Jaipur. The veteran pacer was on the money with the new ball and was unlucky to have a wicket to his name. He conceded just 19 runs in his three overs with the bat.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Probable Playing XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Probable Impact Players

Jason Holder, M Ashwin, Riyan Parag, Kuldip Yadav, Kuldeep Sen