IPL 2024, Match 50: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Match Preview

A high-voltage Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) is set to take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday, May 2.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are placed just outside the top four, at No. 5 on the points table, having won five and lost four of their nine matches so far. However, they are coming into this clash on the back of a couple of heavy defeats against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings. The 2016 champions would want to return to winning ways as the tournament nears the business end.

In the last game against the defending champions in Chepauk, Sunrisers conceded 212/3 on as sparkling half-centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell took the hosts to a match-winning score. In reply, the in-form SRH batters fell flat as they were rolled over for 134 in the 19th over.

So far, batting has been the stronger suit for the Sunrisers. Travis Head is their leading run-getter, having aggregated 338 runs from eight innings at an average of 42.25 and a strike rate of 211.25. His opening partner Abhishek Sharma has an even better strike rate of 214.89, scoring 303 runs at an average of 33.67 from nine games. Wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen had a fabulous start to the season but has been dismissed cheaply in the last few games. He would be raring to go against the Royals.

In the bowling department, T Natarajan has been the standout performer. He has bagged 13 wickets in seven games at an average of 19.38 and has a strike rate of 12.92. However, despite that he was not picked in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, which was announced on Tuesday, April 30. The likes of captain Pat Cummins and the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar have not been at their best and would want to step up at this crucial juncture of the season.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are having a dream season in IPL 2024. Led by Sanju Samson, the Royals have notched up eight wins out in the nine matches they have played. Their only defeat came against Gujarat Titans in their fifth game of the season. Since then, the first-ever IPL champions have won four games in a row and have one foot already in the playoffs.

In their last game, the Royals made light work of a 197-run target at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium against Lucknow Super Giants, as they romped home with seven wickets and one over to spare as Samson and Dhruv Jurel scored elegant half-centuries to take their team home.

Samson is the top-scorer for Rajasthan this season, having smashed 385 runs from nine matches at a staggering average of 77 and a strike rate of 161.09. He has registered four half-centuries already. Riyan Parag has also been a consistent performer for the Royals, having accounted for 332 runs from eight innings at an average of 55.33 and a strike rate of 159.62. Jos Buttler had a slow start to the season but has returned to form at the right time.

Yuzvendra Chahal has headlined the bowling department for Rajasthan. The veteran leg-spinner has picked up 13 wickets from nine matches at an average of 23.54 and a strike rate of 15.69. He is among the top wicket-takers this season. Meanwhile, Sandeep Sharma has been excellent at the death. If Trent Boult can strike upfront more regularly, it will make Rajasthan more even more lethal.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Schedule

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report

Only three games have been played thus far at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in IPL 2024 and two of those have been won by teams batting first. The average first innings score is 216. Out of the 74 IPL matches played at this venue, the team chasing the target has emerged victorious on 41 occasions, while the team batting first has won 33 times.

The pitches have been quite good for batting and the big hitters on both sides will enjoy themselves at the venue. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss in the last game played here against Sunrisers Hyderabad and opted to bat first. The bold move paid off as they amassed 206/7 in their 20 overs before restricting the Orange Army to 171/8. Winning the toss and batting first could be a good move only if the team can put up a 200-plus total.

Also Check: IPL 2024 Points Table

Probable Playing XI

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):

Sunrisers played Anmolpreet Singh in the last game in place of Mayank Markhande. However, the move didn't pay dividends as the right-handed batter departed for a golden duck, batting at No. 3. Apart from the last game, SRH have been prolific with the bat and they could bring back Markande to bolster their bowling department. 

Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat

Impact Player: T Natarajan

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Rajasthan have no reason to tinker with their winning combination, unless there are some last-minute injury concerns. It seems that all the players understand their roles clearly and are able to execute their plans cohesively during the matches.

Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C & WK), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Player - Sandeep Sharma

Head-to-Head Record

IPL 2024: Match 50: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals