The IPL 2024 Qualifier-2 match will be played today between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Chepauk Stadium. This match is highly crucial as the winning team will directly qualify for the final, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 26.
Head and Abhishek Duo: Hyderabad’s Key to a Strong Start
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, have been the talk of the season with their aggressive batting. Dubbed as ‘Travishek’, this pair has been phenomenal. Travis Head has scored 533 runs at a strike rate of 199.62, while Abhishek Sharma has amassed 470 runs at a strike rate of 207.04. Together, they have hit 72 sixes and 96 fours. Their explosive starts will be crucial for SRH to put up a big score.
Explosive Batsman Heinrich Klaasen
In addition to Head and Abhishek, SRH boasts the explosive Heinrich Klaasen. Klaasen has scored 413 runs at a strike rate of 180 and has hit 34 sixes. Although the Chepauk pitch is spin-friendly and may make hitting big shots challenging, Klaasen’s ability to adapt will be vital.
Rajasthan Royals’ Bowling Attack
Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack features the formidable duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin. They can exploit the Chepauk conditions to trouble the Hyderabad batsmen. Ashwin has returned to form in the latter stages of the league, and Chahal has been consistently effective. This spin duo could pose significant challenges for SRH.
Eyes on T Natarajan
In SRH’s bowling lineup, T Natarajan will play a crucial role, having taken the most wickets for his team this season. Along with the experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins, Hyderabad’s bowling attack looks solid.
Concerns Over Sanju Samson’s Form
Rajasthan Royals’ captain Sanju Samson’s form has been a concern, as he hasn’t scored more than 20 runs in his last three matches. However, the team will be hopeful with strong performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel. The Royals also expect explosive contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell.
Probable Playing 11
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Rahul Tripathi
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Glenn Phillips
- Abdul Samad
- Washington Sundar
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- T Natarajan
- Umran Malik
- Pat Cummins
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Jos Buttler
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Sanju Samson (Captain)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Rovman Powell
- Riyan Parag
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Trent Boult
- Sandeep Sharma
This match is a do-or-die situation for both teams. It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top and secures their spot in the final.
