IPL 2022: Match 17 - Strongest Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Predicted Playing XI against Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are off to a rocky start in IPL 2022, losing both their games against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (SRH) respectively. They would now look to turn the fortunes when they lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in match 17 at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai.

Hyderabad have struggled to put up a well-balanced squad in their first two outings, which cost them four points. The lack of quality spinners and experience in the death overs have haunted them badly. However, they will hope to regroup and come out with all guns blazing against CSK, who have also lost all their games.

Even though SRH have lost both their matches, there wouldn’t be any changes to their line-up against the Super Kings unless and until a player is down with an injury or out due to emergency reasons.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s predicted XI against Chennai Super Kings: 

Openers: Kane Williamson (C) and Abhishek Sharma

Kane Williamson and Abhishek Sharma haven’t fired in both the games so far. Abhishek has managed only 22 runs while the Hyderabad captain has accumulated 18 runs. Hence, SRH have faltered in the run chase on both outings.

However, it’s still early days in the tournament and Williamson is aware of how things can change rapidly if they put up a good opening stand. He will look to capitalize on the powerplay overs against the defending champions, who lack quality in their bowling attack in the absence of Deepak Chahar.

Abishek Sharma, on the other hand, is likely to get a long role given that the Sunrisers Hyderabad management believes in his abilities.

Middle-order: Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran 

The middle-order needs to fire if the 2016 IPL winner wants to taste success in IPL 2022. Rahul Tripathi, who had a good season with KKR last season, should bring in his A-game against CSK. Meanwhile, they rely heavily on Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran and the two overseas stars need to step up to the occasion.

All three have had decent outings in the tournament but have failed to take the team over the line. Markram scored an unbeaten half-century against Rajasthan Royals while Tripathi and Pooran chipped in with 44 and 34 respectively against Lucknow. With a lot of experience under their belt, they will have to raise their hand and pull the team out of the debacle.

All-rounders: Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, and Washington Sundar

Speaking of match-winners, the likes of Samad and can win games single-handedly on any given day. They can be handy with both bat and ball and it adds balance to the Sunrisers Hyderabad side. We saw a glimpse of their abilities in the first match against Rajasthan Royals when Washington Sundar hammered a quickfire 14-ball 40 while Shepherd chipped in with 24 off 18 balls.

Talking about bowling, Sundar was expensive in the first match but came back strongly in the second, returning with 2/28 against Lucknow Super Giants. Shepherd’s average outings might lead to Marco Jansen getting a chance in the playing XI. The South African all-rounder played for MI last year.

Abdul Samad, however, has not had a good start to this year’s campaign, managing 4 and 0 in the first two games. He didn’t have much time with the ball as well. Samad, who was one of the three cricketers retained by the franchise, will hope to live up to the trust in the next fixture.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, and T Natarajan

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling attack looks lethal on paper but they need to implement better inside the ground. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan have had injury concerns in the past but the management has shown trust in their abilities.

Bhuvneshwar has been economical so far in IPL 2022 but Natarajan went for plenty in the first game but bounced back against Lucknow Super Giants. Young Umran Malik, who was impressive last year, has also gone for plenty in the first two outings. The Jammu & Kashmir-born pacer has racked up some good pace but has been wayward with his line and length.

The SRH bowling unit will have to implement better against a star-studded batting unit like Chennai Super Kings to return to the winning track.

SRH’s predicted XI: Kane Williamson (C), Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, T Natarajan.