IPL 2021: Match 52 – Strongest Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Predicted Playing XI Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are finding ways to lose a match in the ongoing 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the last game, SRH batters failed to get past even 120 and largely struggled to get off on a good surface at Dubai International Stadium. Yet again, their bowlers bowled their hearts out and didn’t allow the game to drift away but a few more runs from the batters could have given them a chance of victory. 

With yet another defeat SRH campaign hit another low, and the management and their passionate supporters would be hoping the two games finish off rather quickly. The batting has been the biggest problem this year, and even Kane Williamson, who usually is pretty consistent, has not been amongst runs. Even the change in personnel at the top and middle-order has not worked and the lack of intent to score some quick runs has cost them wickets.

All is though not lost as SRH unearthed a gem in young pace bowler Umran Malik. The Jammu & Kashmir fast bowler consistently clocked speeds of 150 and had a memorable debut to remember. With two matches yet to be played SRH would be hoping to end their campaign on a high.

Meanwhile, here is SRH’s predicted playing XI against RCB:

Openers – Jason Roy and Wriddhiman Saha

Barring the one game against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Jason Roy has not looked good in the middle. In trying to press the accelerator, he has been out inside the powerplays in two matches. With two games yet to be played, Roy would be hoping to give the team a good start.

Meanwhile, his partner at the other end, Wriddhiman Saha, has also not looked at his usual fluent best. So far in the UAE leg of the IPL, the wicketkeeper-batter has scores of 18, 31, 18, 44, and 0. In few games, the right-hand batter has got starts but has failed to convert it into something substantial. Against RCB, Saha would be hoping for a big score.

Middle Order – Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma

SRH’s biggest worry this season and probably their most weak area. With no David Warner, the pressure of run-scoring, and the onus to play the sheet anchor’s role has fallen on Williamson’s shoulders. But the ever-reliable batter too has not been amongst the runs as he would have hoped for. He has also failed to get any support whatsoever from other batters.

On the other hand young players, Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma, have failed to scores runs and solidify their places in the batting order. The purpose to replace Kedar Jadhav and Manish Pandey has so far not been solved. The young players need to step up and provide support to Williamson at the other end.

All-rounders – Jason Holder, Abdul Samad

West Indian all-rounder Jason Holder has been one of the bright spots for the team in an otherwise dismal season for SRH. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar also not firing, Holder has taken wickets and has also been handy with the bat. In the last match too, he picked up two wickets and kept SRH in the hunt till the last over.

Meanwhile, Abdul Samad has continued to impress and is the lone batter currently striking at over 130 for SRH. Against KKR, too his cameo off 18 balls 25 allowed SRH to finish well. The youngster, though, would be hoping for some better performances from the top-order batters.

Bowlers – Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, Siddharth Kaul

Be it a total of 120 or a total above 160 SRH bowlers, will not let the team down. Against KKR, too they almost defended 115, and if not for Shubman Gill’s defiant 51 the match would have gone in SRH’s favor. Rashid Khan yet again controlled the middle phase well, giving 23 runs in four overs. Kumar found his mojo back and was at his miserly best giving just 20 runs in four overs.

On the other hand, Malik was brilliant in his debut game, giving away only 27 runs and bowling with pace and intent. He was well-supported by Kaul, who picked up one wicket and gave only 17 runs. The bowlers would be hoping to continue their good form against RCB.