IPL 2019 – Match 8: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals – RR Predicted Playing XI

There are several reasons why the Rajasthan Royals (RR) should be disappointed after their loss against Kings XI Punjab in their opening game. The side would have never imagined that a ‘mankading incident‘ will potentially cost them a match. Nevertheless, there is very little that they can do about it now and would rather focus on their upcoming game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

What Jos Buttler’s dismissal has done is that it has exposed quite a few flaws in their middle-order. It was quite puzzling to see Steve Smith bat at four instead of his usual number three position. The team will possibly look at a few other options to strengthen their bowling and their lower-order. But, the question is whether they have enough alternatives that they can explore?

Here is the Predicted Playing XI of Rajasthan Royals (RR):

Openers (Ajinkya Rahane (c), Jos Buttler (wk))

Ajinkya Rahane might not have been in the best of forms lately. But, the Indian Test vice-captain showed a lot of positive intent in the opening game. It seemed as if he was determined to score runs at a quick pace and hit four boundaries in his innings. It will be great to see Jinks carry the same kind of positiveness going ahead as it will really lift the spirits of the other players.

Jos Buttler will be still furious after he was ‘mankaded out’ against KXIP. SRH will be praying that they don’t become the victims of his wrath. The English cricketer seems to be in great touch and will be the greatest force for the Royals as long as he is available. He will continue to keep the wickets for the team.

Middle Order (Steve Smith, Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi)

It is important for the RR management to bat Steve Smith at number three. He isn’t someone who can smash the ball big right from the word go and needs some time to settle in. The former Australian skipper can be dangerous once he gets his eye in and looked to be in good form in the last match. A terrific effort from KL Rahul in the field put curtains to his innings but he’ll be eager to bring out a better performance this time.

Sanju Samson played an uncharacteristically slow knock in the last match. His innings, in a way, broke the momentum and this was something that was completely unexpected from him. He will bat at four and will look to attack the bowlers more often. Rahul Tripathi missed out on a good chance of getting his team home in the last game. He will continue at the same batting position, i.e, number six for the upcoming game as well.

All-Rounders (Ben Stokes, Krishnappa Gowtham)

Ben Stokes struggled both with the bat as well as the ball in the last match. He gave away 48 runs in his four overs but picked up two wickets including the one of Chris Gayle. RR will want him to come good in the next game and play an important role in the team’s victory.

Krishanppa Gowtham opened the bowling against KXIP and gave away only 32 runs in his four overs. He was clinical with the ball but failed to impress with the willow. The Karnataka cricketer will hope to justify his all-rounder tag when his team plays the SRH.

Bowlers (Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni)

Except for Jaydev Unadkat, all the other bowlers did well for the team in the previous game. Shreyas Gopal bowled only one over while the others completed their quota of 4 overs. In just 3 overs, Unadkat conceded 44 runs and looked clueless as the batsmen went after him. The left-arm pacer had a good domestic season and should look to take a lot of confidence from his recent performances.

Once he gets into his groove, he will be very tough to stop. Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal and Dhawal Kulkarni are the other men who are expected to play a big role with the ball. Archer bowled at a good pace in the last match and troubled the batsmen. Dhawal, on the other hand, maintained tight lines and lengths and fared decently well.

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