IPL 10, Match 53, GL v SRH - Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI

Amid various scenarios and combinations that will determine which are the four teams to make the knockout stage, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have a simple equation. It’s do-or-die, or make-or-break, or whatever other expressions that fits well under these circumstances. To put it simply, the Sunrisers Hyderabad must anyhow win their last league match against the Gujarat Lions to progress in the tournament. A loss could still see them through, but SRH’s entry into the playoffs will be a complex function of other results. David Warner is certainly not a captain who will be at the mercy of the remaining games. Hence, the Sunrisers are definitely going to go for the kill when they take on the Gujarat Lions in Kanpur.

With clear intentions of bagging two priceless points, the Sunrisers Hyderabad will have to go in with heavy artillery. The team will take great confidence from their previous match against table-toppers Mumbai Indians. The SRH pacers did well to restrict a batting-heavy Mumbai side to 138. Despite a few hiccups on the road, the Sunrisers eventually scaled the target with some ease. Up against another batting-heavy Gujarat Lions side, Warner’s boys will look to repeat their show against MI. Here’s a look at the predicted XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad as they take on the Gujarat Lions.

Openers (David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan)

It seems as though Shikhar Dhawan celebrated his return to the Indian team by scoring an unbeaten 62 to see his side over the line in their last game. Although his strike rate revealed that he wasn’t all that aggressive in the middle, Dhawan would have been more than pleased to have played a timely anchoring knock. The left-hander looked in fine touch while guiding the ball to the boundary 6 times and smashing 2 biggies.

Although Mumbai managed to remove David Warner early in a small chase, you can’t keep the Australian out of action, especially in the big games. Warner’s capability with the bat needs no further introduction; the Orange Cap sitting on his head speaks for itself. The SRH skipper will look to lead from the front with the bat in a crucial game.

Middle order (Kane Williamson, Yuvraj Singh, Naman Ojha)

Kane Williamson is too valuable a bench-warmer, and the Sunrisers will do well to play the Kiwi batsman. In the few games, he’s played, Williamson has generously added runs to the SRH total. Whenever given the opportunity to bat, whether it be right at the beginning or at the fag end of the innings. Williamson will have a major role to play in the Sunrisers Hyderabad batting performance on Saturday.

Despite his injury, Yuvraj Singh played on and might have done some more damage to his hand. However, if Yuvi is fit, he will be raring to go. Moreover, Yuvraj will have a point to prove following his selection for the Champions Trophy. After a string of low scores, Yuvraj will pounce on an opportunity to smash the bowlers all around the park, just like he’s known to do.

Naman Ojha will be disappointed that he wasn’t tried at the top order, despite having disclosed that he feels much more comfortable at the top. Having got very few overs to bat during this edition of the IPL, Ojha hasn’t been able to prove his mettle. Nevertheless, the Sunrisers will bank more on his work behind the stumps.

All-rounders (Mohammad Nabi, Vijay Shankar)

Having Mohammad Nabi in the side is an added bonus for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Not only can he offer four overs of economical off-spin, but he can also strike at a rate in excess of 150. Nabi finished with exceptional figures of 1-13 in his full quota of four overs. Playing only his second game, he burst into the scene by removing the dangerous Lendl Simmons early on. If picked, Mohammad Nabi will look to come good against the Lions as well.

Youngster Vijay Shankar did well to see his side home along with Shikhar Dhawan by scoring 15 handy runs. Although the Sunrisers will probably not need it, Shankar can also offer his services as a medium pacer.

Bowlers (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj)

It’s been hard to point fingers at the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack, which consists of three brilliant pacers and a foxy leggie. The pace trio is spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who still stands head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, not just in the SRH setup, but in this IPL as well. Bhuvi removed Pollard and Karn Sharma and gave away 29 runs off his four overs.

Meanwhile, the Sunrisers have discovered a brilliant death overs bowler in Siddarth Kaul. Moreover, his latest arrow in his quiver which he’s used so deftly is the knuckleball. This delivery has earned him the majority of his wickets lately. His figures of 3-24 in his previous game spoke volumes about this man’s ability with the man.

Marrying pace and bounce even on sluggish wickets, Mohammad Siraj has looked aggressive throughout this IPL. Although he hasn’t always been amongst the wickets, he’s produced some probing spells with the white ball. Siraj will look to add the numbers to his wickets column when SRH take on the Lions.

There’s nothing left to be said about Rashid Khan. Afghanistan’s leggie has indeed taken the IPL by storm, much like he did at the auctions. Rashid bagged the crucial wicket of Hardik Pandya against MI and gave away a mere 22 runs in his four overs. The leg-spinner seems to grow with every match. A brilliant performance will surely be expected from Rashid in a must-win game.

It’s time for the Sunrisers Hyderabad to play like defending champions, and go out all guns blazing. With a well-balanced side that possesses depth in batting as well as verve in bowling, the Sunrisers will go in as favourites against the Gujarat Lions.