*SRH VS KKR MATCH 47 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*DEAD END FOR THE LOSER AFTER THIS GAME?:*
Both SRH and KKR have a lot of ground to cover. They have not been able to match up well with the other outfits so far and their position in the points table is pretty reflective of that. Not only have their registered 6 losses apiece but their managements have also made some core mistakes, resulting in a below average disappointing campaign so far.
Those 5 sixes from Rinku vs GT look like a distant memory now and that century from Brook to light up the Eden also looks far from home. Such has been their story this season and a loss today for any of these sides would directly lead to virtual disqualification because a late comeback from that part of the points table would be next to impossible.
While this game may seem like a not-so-worthy contest because the teams going up against one another are placed at 8 and 9 respectively but given the crazy and intense history of this beautiful tournament, we may just see the start of another stunning comeback story. The return to form of Gurbaz and Russell and SRH registering a 200 plus score and then defending it on a small Kotla ground should boost the morale and ego of KKR and SRH respectively, as they head into this game at Hyderabad where bowlers tend to take control of the proceedings more often than not.
*KKR PROBABLE XI:*
Jason Roy, Rehmatullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarty, Suyash Sharma
Vaibhav Arora is a capable bowler, who swings the ball both ways and generates good speed as well. KKR should definitely give him a go and check out what he brings to the table, specially with Umesh Yadav not turning up as they would have liked.
We could see Roy and Gurbaz opening together and if they get going, it’s going to be one hell of a task for SRH to bring about an end to the carnage. Both are aggressive and extremely attacking players who are naturally gifted with the talent of stroke play and power hitting. Against a Hyderabad lineup that does well more often than not, with the ball, if they negate the threats well and take on their positive matchups, a fiesty contest will be on the cards.
We saw Andre Russell fire at the backend last game and take KKR to a more competitive total. In a tourney where he has given mediocre returns, another solid outing from the Big Carribean should settle the nerves in the KKR camp.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Expect Jagadeesan or Mandeep Singh to come in if KKR bat second. But if they bat first, Harshit Rana could join the team as the impact substitute.
*SRH PROBABLE XI:*
Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, Akeal Hossain, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik
Markram is a specialist while playing the leg spin bowling type and tonight he will be up against Suyash Sharma who is riding high on confidence after a successful IPL season so far. I will be keenly looking at how they go about dismissing/scoring against one another.
SRH have made loads of alterations at the top of the order but expect them to stick with what walked out to bat at Delhi. With Brook at 5, the batting does look assured but his struggles vs spin will come to the fore once again, specially against a lineup that boasts of one of best spinners in the tournament. However, the century that he scored in the IPL which is his only notable performance this tourney should keep him in good stead as it came against this very opposition that too, at their home ground.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Natarajan to come in as the impact sub when SRH bowl second. But if they bowl first, Samad could take the same spot. Natarajan with his top notch Yorkers against Russell will be fascinating.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR KKR:*
Highest run getter- Venkatesh Iyer/Nitish Rana
Highest wicket taker- Varun Chakravarty/Vaibhav Arora
*FOR SRH:*
Highest run getter- Aiden Markram/Abhishek Sharma
Highest wicket taker- T Natarajan/Mayank Markande
*FOR THE GAME:*
SRH to win