IPL 2020: Match 8, KKR vs SRH – SRH Predicted Playing XI

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had a nightmarish start to the Dream11 IPL 2020. All their concerns heading into this season turned out to be a reality when they stepped onto the field for the game against RCB. The middle-order was completely exposed in the last game and thus they capitulated in the run chase.

In a game that they should have easily won, they ended up making a meal of it by pressing the panic button too early. Quite expectedly, the side was also criticised about their team selection. In their next encounter, the ‘Men in Orange’ will be taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

David Warner and Trevor Bayliss have got some important calls to make. Whether they will provide a few more chances to the youngsters or change things around is a question that only time will answer.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Sunrisers Hyderabad for KKR vs SRH:

Openers (Jonny Bairstow (wk), David Warner (c))

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) need not look beyond Jonny Bairstow and David Warner for their opening combination. Jonny Bairstow carried on from exactly where he left in England. He registered a brilliant half-century against RCB and got 61 runs from 43 balls before he was dismissed. However, this time, he would fancy staying out there in the middle till the end and getting his side home.

David Warner, on whom there were high expectations in the last match, was dismissed in a very unlucky way. He was backing a little bit too much when Bairstow smashed one straight back. Umesh Yadav got a fingertip on the way and the ball hit the stumps. Hence the skipper was run-out. But he absolutely nailed one through the gap in the cover region while he was in the middle indicating signs of good form.

Middle Order (Manish Pandey, Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma)

SRH might not change around with the middle order as yet and will want to give their players a few more opportunities. Manish Pandey will definitely cling onto that number three spot. He played almost a run-a-ball knock in the last game scoring 34 runs. But if he is consuming so many deliveries, he should take the onus upon himself and try to stay out there in the middle till the end of the 20th over.

Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma are yet to prove their potential. Both of them are highly talented youngsters and it is a wonderful platform for them to convert their domestic performances to the IPL-level performances, and thereby make a mark. Abhishek can be handy with the ball as well, as he was in the last match.

All-Rounders (Vijay Shankar, Mohammad Nabi)

Vijay Shankar was highly disappointing both with the bat as well as the ball in the last match. He’d want to put up a better show this time and contribute to his side’s victory.

With Mitchell Marsh ruled out and Kane Williamson injured, Mohammad Nabi is a no-brainer to make it into the Playing XI. He provides four overs with the ball including a few in the powerplay and also takes up the role of a finisher.

Bowlers (Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed)

RCB were very smart in the way they dealt with Rashid Khan in the last game. They hardly took any chances and yet milked 31 runs from his four overs by hitting the gaps and picking twos very often. The leg-spinner has got to find new ways to outsmart the batsmen.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, though, was the pick of the bowlers in the last match. He only gave away 25 runs in his four overs. Moreover, he can be quite handy against someone like Andre Russell.

SRH will have to make a choice between Sandeep Sharma and Siddarth Kaul. They are likely to give one more chance to Sharma. Khaleel Ahmed, though, might replace T Natarajan. Khaleel was good in the last season with the ball. Thus, many were surprised not to see him in the starting XI.