IPL 2018: SRH v KKR, Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have flocked their first shot towards entering the final and they now face the Kolkata Knight Riders in a do-or-die clash. They’ve been really good in the first half of the season, but they last won a game almost 15 days ago in Delhi and registered a 4-match losing streak ever since.

Their heartbreaking loss to the Chennai Super Kings must have had a significant effect on their morale and it’ll be a tough ask for skipper Kane Williamson and the coaching staff to get their side back on track. But this is a now or never situation for their side and facing the Knight Riders in their backyard doesn’t make their task any easier.

Kane Williamson nevertheless will be proud of how he led the side from the front and got them to this stage. But setting up another clash with Chennai Super Kings to seek vengeance for their loss in the previous game would be their ultimate target. Here’s the predicted XI of the Sunrisers Hyderabad for this important clash.

Openers – Sreevats Goswami and Shikhar Dhawan

The southpaw has been doing a fantastic job thus far registering some big scores in big matches. Despite registering a first-ball duck, not many can disregard his ability when it comes to important matches. He has thus far registered 436 runs in the tournament and will be looking to add more and glorify the tally.

Sreevats Goswami would never have imagined getting into the XI with Wriddhiman Saha already present in the squad, but as it turned out, Saha’s bad run turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He’s already played one explosive little cameo against KKR and will be eager to replicate the same.

Middle Order – Kane Williamson (C), Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan

The skipper has been doing a fine job thus far and not many can complain that David Warner’s absence has jolted their success by any stretch of the imagination. He’s been a priceless asset for the Sunrisers and is already the holder of the Orange Cap with 685 runs to his name.

One of the biggest disappointments for the Sunrisers has been the form of Manish Pandey. The talented batter from Karnataka has failed to replicate his previous years’ success in the IPL and was subjected to severe criticism. Yusuf Pathan has played a couple of blinders and would love to register another big knock against his former club.

All-rounders – Carlos Brathwaite, Shakib Al Hasan

Carlos Brathwaite had a mixed outing against the Chennai Super Kings. Whilst he was the hero with the bat, he turned out to be the unfortunate villain with the ball, conceding a huge over just at the wrong time. Nevertheless, he’ll continue to remain a part of the XI.

Shakib Al Hasan bowled just two overs in the previous game, which really was surprising considering the ball was gripping nicely. Nevertheless, he’s been a decent contributor with the ball and given there’s any assistance for spinners at the Eden Gardens, he can be the match-winner.

Bowlers – Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma

Sandeep Sharma has been conceding runs heavily and is has been failing to find the right lines in the last few games. But the management might be trusting him for another couple of games. Siddarth Kaul was outstanding against the CSK, but one bad over in the death saw the Sunrisers bow down in dramatic fashion.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, without a shadow of a doubt, is one of the finest bowlers in the world right now. He bowled stupendously well with the new ball, conceding just 8 runs in his 3 overs. But it’s Rashid Khan who’s been the game changer pretty much every game. He’s been worth every penny thus far and two more good performances from the Afghan can certainly propel them to the title.