IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad's strongest predicted playing XI against Gujarat Titans, Match 66

Two teams have qualified for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) playoffs and five teams are still in the hunt. Looking at the current scenario, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are most likely to occupy one of the final two positions. They are now fourth in the points table with 14 points with two matches remaining in the league stage.

A win against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the upcoming match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad will be enough to book them a playoff berth. The 2016 champions have the added advantage of a strong Net Run Rate (NRR-+0.406). Even if they lose their remaining two matches by narrow margins, they still have a slim chance of qualifying.  

Meanwhile, Gujarat are already out of the tournament and their only aim now is to end their campaign on a positive note. Will GT make SRH's job a bit tougher or will Pat Cummins and Co. continue their dominance, especially after their recent 10-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)? Expect a cracking game of cricket on Thursday, May 16.

Also Check: SRH vs GT Dream11 Prediction,

Here's the strongest predicted playing XI of SRH for the 66th match of IPL 2024 against GT:

Openers: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have been the strongest opening pair this season. The two left-handers have a major share of the credit for SRH's remarkable run so far. Just look at SRH's previous game to see how dangerous they are. LSG batters toiled hard to put 165 runs on the board in 20 overs.

In reply, Head and Abhishek Sharma made it look like they were batting on a completely different surface as they chased down the target in just 9.4 overs. The Aussie batter has now scored 533 runs at an average of 53.30 and a whopping strike rate of 201.89. On the other hand, a neck-to-neck battle from his partner with 401 runs at an average of 36.45 and a strike rate of 205.64.

Also Check: Orange Cap in IPL 2024- Most Runs

Middle-order: Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad 

Heinrich Klaasen is synonymous with destruction. He is the backbone of SRH in the middle order. The two opening batters will set the stage for a massive score, and this South African big-hitter will come in at No. 4 and give the finishing touches in the most brutal fashion. If teams plan to drain runs in the middle overs through a spin attack, that idea will not go down well with Klaassen, who is a spin basher. 

The sensational form of the openers and the consistency of the middle-order batters have kept finisher Abdul Samad quiet this season. The right-hander, who bats in the lower order, rarely got opportunities and failed to grab the limelight on those occasions. However, if there is a batting collapse, Samad's presence will give the team hope to bounce back.

Click Here: SRH vs GT, Match 66 - Live Cricket Score

All-rounders: Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh  

SRH are blessed with quality all-rounders. Although they are inexperienced, they are talented and can hold their own with many veterans. Nitish Reddy is definitely one of the finds of the season and a great asset to the franchise this season. His primary strength is with the bat, but can also chip in with some wickets in the middle overs. 

Shahbaz Ahmed makes RCB guilty of trading him to SRH. The left-arm orthodox spinner has been very economical in the last few matches. He has also contributed with the bat in some crucial matches in the lower order. Sanvir Singh played the last match against LSG but did not get a chance in either department. He can play the finisher role and is also a useful pacer with the ability to swing.

Also Check: Who will win today’s IPL match between SRH vs GT?

Bowlers: Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande

Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins will also lead the pace attack. The right-arm pacer has taken 14 wickets so far but has been leaking a lot of runs. Cummins can also make cameos with the bat in the tail end. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the main force in their bowling unit. With his sheer pace and swing, the veteran pacer can trouble the opposition batters early in the innings. 

Notably, Kumar recently won a Player of the Match award for his brilliant three-wicket haul and also grabbed two wickets at an economy of just 3.00 in the last match against LSG. Jaydev Unadkat and Impact Player T Natarajan are the other two fast-bowling options for SRH. Natarajan has taken 15 wickets so far. Mayank Markande may be recalled to the team for the upcoming match. He hasn't had a great season so far, but his leg-spin deliveries could be a big threat to GT batters.

Also Check: Purple Cap in IPL 2024 - Most Wickets

SRH’s Predicted XI against GT:

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh, Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande

Impact Substitute - T Natarajan