*RR VS SRH MATCH 52 PREVIEW*
There needs to be some serious rethinking in the RR camp. They have looked listless in their last few games so far, with most of their players not showing the right intent. If I was a RR supporter, I would hope that a turnaround is just around the corner. SRH on the other hand have been underwhelming. Not only have they lost 6 games so far but their management has made some poor calls, resulting in a total mockery be it on the batting front or the bowling front. Tonight gives both these units an opportunity to push their case further. A win tonight will strengthen RR and give them the much needed boost after going winless for two games straight and a SRH win could put a late twist in this tourney, and may just be the beginning of a underdog redemption.
*RR PROBABLE XI:*
Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson(c)(wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Jason Holder, Ravi Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzi Chahal
Chahal has the wood over Mayank Agarwal having dismissed him 6 times already. However the Karantaka opener strikes at around 180 against the leggie. Their matchup could be one to watch out for. Mayank will be extra motivated to prove his mettle against RR’s premier spinner having gone through a bad patch all season.
RR have a tough task ahead of them as they will have to make a harsh choice of dropping one of Zampa or Holder. With Zampa being bashed last game, we could very well see a return of the Caribbean all rounder, who adds the much needed batting depth. RR, however, will have to make use of his batting smartly.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
RR were desperate enough to try out Parag again, batting first, in an attempt to arrest a collapse. However the youngsters poor form in the biggest T20 league of the world continued. Tonight gives them an opportunity to better think this strategy.
We could see Kuldip Yadav being used as an impact sub if RR bat first. Devdutt Parikkal could come in and play the same role if they bat second.
*SRH PROBABLE XI:*
Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram(c), Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen(wk), Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik
Expect Umran with the bigger boundaries at the Sawai Mann Singh stadium, to return to the XI. His raw pace could prove to be game changing specially with Rajasthan struggling with the bat. Umran possesses the ability to break the game open.
All eyes will be keenly placed on Harry Brook who has managed just 63 runs off his 8 innings excluding his stunning hundred vs KKR. The stroke maker was brought in with a lot of promise however the young Englishmen hasn’t delivered. A good innings today could settle some nerves down.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
I don’t see any other player barring T Natarajan, coming in as the impact substitute. He has been nailing his yorkers at the death this season and should look to control the damage which Hetmyer and Jurel are capable of causing. When they bat second, expect Mayank Agarwal or Abhishek Sharma to come in and play the same role.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR RR:*
Highest run getter- Yashasvi Jaiswal/Sanju Samson
Highest wicket taker- Yuzi Chahal/Ravi Ashwin
*FOR SRH:*
Highest run getter- Auden Markram/Abhishek Sharma
Highest wicket taker- Mayank Markande/Marco Jansen
*FOR THE GAME:*
RR to win