IPL 2018: RCB v SRH, Match 51 - Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI

Whilst 5 teams are fighting it out against each other for two places, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are sitting at the top of the ladder, watching the drama unfold. They clearly ran away from the rest and have assured themselves a top-2 finish, which means they will be playing the Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede on May 22. 

The remaining two games are dead-rubber contests for them. But for their opponents Royal Challengers Bangalore, a lot is at stake. They have to win both their remaining games and hope for other results to go their way. They’ve done themselves a great favor by registering a whopping win against Kings XI Punjab, which boosted their net run rate quite brilliantly.

This is a huge game for one side whilst the other one can sit back, relax and test their bench strength. At the same time, they should ensure that their momentum is not lost in the air, which can prove quite costly in the business end of the tournament. Here’s the predicted XI of the Orange Army for this South Indian Derby.

Openers – (Sreevats Goswami (wk), Shikhar Dhawan)

Alex Hales has failed to amass runs the way their management had expected, which means he might be rested. Sreevats Goswami, who has done a decent job thus far filling Wriddhiman Saha’s boots, might get a chance to open the innings.

The experienced campaigner Shikhar Dhawan is back amongst the runs and has registered two decent half-centuries in the last two games. His body language looks much better than it was in the middle phase of the tournament, where a few injuries troubled him. Another big score will get him into the top 10 list of run-getters this season.

Middle Order – (Kane Williamson (C), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda)

Skipper Kane Williamson is definitely a contender for the Most Valuable Player award this season. He has been in fine touch and is the fourth highest run-getter already. But his companion Manish Pandey has had a really disappointing season with the bat. With the business end approaching, it’s imperative he makes the most of these last two games.

Yusuf who has delivered with the bat, ball and on the field for the team was rested in the previous game as he was a little sore. The management might rest him for this game as well since it is really inconsequential play him directly in the playoffs. Hooda will now have two chances to prove his worth and be the player who comes in the middle order in case Manish fails to find his form heading into the playoffs as well.

All-rounders – (Carlos Brathwaite, Shakib Al Hasan)

Shakib Al Hasan has been sensational with the ball and when needed, he’s chipped in with some important runs as well. He went for a few runs in the last game, but on a slow track, he’s as deadly as one can ask for. Bangalore sometimes provides a slow track and if they do so once again, it’ll be like digging their own grave.

Consider that Alex Hales is dropped, Carlos Brathwaite might be handed an opportunity to showcase his skills. SRH currently have a problem with their sixth bowler as well, and Brathwaite can be an excellent addition lower down the order as well. Thinking tactically, Brathwaite might even play the big knockout games ahead of Hales.

Bowlers – (Rashid Khan, Basil Thampi, Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma)

Rashid Khan is one of the best spinners in world cricket right now and he has already bagged quite a few Man of the Match awards this season. Although he got hammered on a few occasions, he’s been outstanding and will continue to be SRH’s main weapon. Siddarth Kaul is another player who has done well and although he has been expensive in the last few games, his ability to bowl in the death overs is keeping him in the side.

Sandeep Sharma has been the most economical bowler this season. His control over the initial swing and movement is certainly worth appreciating and it’s causing the top order players a lot of problems. Basil Thampi might walk in for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to give the senior pacer some rest.

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