IPL 9, Match 22 Preview: Sunrisers Hyderabad aim for another cruising win

The story of the Rising Pune Supergiants is getting all the more painful by the minute. After winning their first encounter, the MS Dhoni-led side has seen an unbearable slump with four losses on the trot. Conversely, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are on a roll following their indifferent start to the season. One thing that remained constant for the SRH this season is the form of the devastating David Warner. While some of the injury-laden players look to make their comebacks into the side, and the fact that they are playing at home, it is difficult to see the Sunrisers coming out of this one empty handed.

Team News-

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

A bad start to the campaign saw a plethora of question marks hang over the Sunrisers. However, at the moment, it all seems to be coming right for the Sunrisers. Shikhar Dhawan has seemingly found his feet with a few strong performances with the bat while the magical bowling of Mustafizur Rahman has been almost like a fairy tale. What’s more is the fact that they have accomplished all of this without the likes of Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh, and Kane Williamson.

The spotlight, as it should be, will be on Mustafizur Rahman. The 20-year old left-arm pacer has been in sublime form of late having taken 7 wickets at an economy rate of 5.75, the lowest in the IPL thus far. He will be expected to play a major role in proceedings.

Rising Pune Supergiants:

With four losses in the last four matches, MS Dhoni’s T20 credentials are coming under the scanner once again. What’s worse is the fact that this is perhaps the worst time to play the Sunrisers, who are on a roll at the moment. However, as things stand, MS Dhoni and his men seemingly haven’t done too much wrong, a fact that probably sends out the idea that the Supergiants are getting the one-percenters wrong.

The spotlight as far as the Supergiants are concerned will be on RP Singh. The left-arm pacer made an appearance in the opening match and ensured a win courtesy of his splendid bowling performance. However, since then, he has seemingly fallen out of favor with Ishant Sharma leading the attack. Now, with Ishant struggling for form, it may well seem as though RP Singh may get a second calling.

Probable XI-

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

David Warner (C), Naman Ojha (WK), Shikhar Dhawan, Aditya Tare, Deepak Hooda, Moises Henriques, Eoin Morgan, Karn Sharma, Mustafizur Rahman, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Barinder Sran

Rising Pune Supergiants:

MS Dhoni (C/wk), Faf du Plessis, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, Albie Morkel, Thisara Perera, Ravichandran Ashwin, Murugan Ashwin, Rajat Bhatia, RP Singh, Ankit Sharma/Ishant Sharma

StAttack:

1. David Warner’s magical innings on Saturday against the Kings XI Punjab saw him seal the top spot for the most number of 50’s in IPL cricket. The knock ensured that it was his 29^th half-century in IPL cricket.

2. Mustafizur Rahman has the best economy rate in the current edition of the IPL, with 5.75. Rahman and Rajat Bhatia are the only two bowlers in the IPL 9 with an economy rate under six.

3. David Warner has accounted for almost 35% of the runs scored by the Sunrisers this season.