IPL 2018: Qualifier 2, SRH vs KKR, Preview- SRH strive for redemption against rampant Knights

SRH beat the Knights the last time these two sides met at the Eden Gardens.

Published - 24 May 2018, 22:30 IST | Updated - 24 May 2018, 22:30 IST

4 Min Read

During the chunk of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) were the frontrunners. On the contrary, Kolkata Knight Riders (RR) huffed and puffed and somehow managed to qualify for the playoffs of the T20 extravaganza. However, the tables have turned and on current form, KKR are touted to be the favourites ahead of their clash against Kane Williamson’s men.

While SRH will be going into the do-or-die encounter at the Eden Gardens on the back of four consecutive defeats, the Men in Gold and Purple will take charge with the hope of keeping their four-match winning streak intact. The Sunrisers had the golden chance of registering themselves as the first finalist with their clash against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), however, they grassed the opportunity.

Nevertheless, the Orange Army has the privilege of making amends in the Qualifier 2. KKR snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Their next opponent is expected to be a tad stronger and the room for errors is minimum for Dinesh Karthik’s boys. Last time around, the Knights bit the dust against the Sunrisers at the same venue and must be keen to avenge their loss.

Team Combination

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Despite their loss the other night, SRH are unlikely to tinker with their combination. Shreevats Goswami and Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting with Williamson to follow. All three couldn’t get substantial runs under their belt at the Wankhede and must be eager to build a solid platform for the Sunrisers. Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan’s role in the middle-order will be important.

Carlos Braithwaite’s brute force also needs to come to the fore in order for the Orange Army to turn over the Knight Riders. The bowlers were awful in the death overs and can’t afford to let any complacency sneak in. Rashid Khan remains to be their gun bowler. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn’t been at his very best. Siddarth Kaul needs to replicate his form as well.

Predicted XI

Shreevats Goswami (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson (C), Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan Yusuf Pathan, Carlos Braithwaite, Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma

Kolkata Knight Riders

The Knight Riders are likely to remain unchanged, barring any undesired occurrence prior to the match. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine are the openers who have been stupendous throughout. Robin Uthappa has had a topsy-turvy campaign and he will want to contribute in the middle order. Nitish Rana’s form also hasn’t been overwhelming. Karthik is again expected to play a pivotal role.

Andre Russell’s big-hitting prowess also remains to be the X-factor in their lineup. The bowlers pulled things back expertly in their last match, especially the spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla. Narine was disappointing, but SRH can’t afford to undermine him whatsoever. Russell, Prasidh Krishna and Javon Searles are the fast-bowlers who need to step up as well.

Predicted XI

Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (capt & wk), Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Javon Searles, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

Players to watch out for

Kane Williamson- Sunrisers Hyderabad

The pitch in Kolkata was on the slower side in the last match and hence, Williamson’s performance may turn out to be crucial in the context of the match. He has been a fulcrum of the team and has racked up runs in almost every match. He was unlucky to miss out against CSK and will want to play a match-winning knock here to take his team through.

Sunil Narine- Kolkata Knight Riders

Narine has been one of the formidable Knights and has carved a reputation for being a handy all-rounder. However, he faltered with both bat and ball against the Royals. The Trinidadian batted and bowled decently against the Sunrisers in Hyderabad and he is considered to play another energetic part if KKR are to dictate terms in the match. The opposition will definitely be wary of his skills.

Head to Head

Played- 14, Sunrisers Hyderabad- 5, Kolkata Knight Riders- 9, Tie/NR- 1

Stat Attack

Sunrisers Hyderabad have lost their previous four matches equaling their longest losing streak in the IPL that was recorded between the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Shikhar Dhawan has scored 3998 runs in the IPL thus far. He needs two more runs to become the 8th player to score 4000 runs in the IPL.