IPL 2023: Match 19, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Predicted Playing XI vs Kolkata Knight Riders

After starting their Indian Premier League 2023 campaign with humiliating defeats in initial two games, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) returned to the winning ways as they trumped Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets at their home ground. With this victory, SRH will look to boost their confidence and carry the momentum forward in the upcoming crucial matches to advance to the Playoffs.

Their next game is against the emboldened Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on Friday, April 14. Currently, KKR are elated with their triumphs against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans but Sunrisers Hyderabad will look forward to spoiling their party by handing them a loss in their fourth game. However, to do that they will require a perfect playing XI that could turn up against the home side.

Here is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s predicted XI against KKR

Openers: Harry Brook and Mayank Agarwal

In the IPL 2023 auction, SRH picked Mayank Agarwal (INR 8.25 crore) and Harry Brook (INR 13.25 crore) at hefty prices to reserve their services. However, both batters have failed to justify their amount with their dismal batting shows in three matches played so far. Their underperformance has come out as a concern for the team management.

Noting Brook’s failure with the bat in the middle order, the team gave him a chance as an opener, but the youngster failed to come up well in the new role too. Going through the reputation and potential of their key stalwarts, SRH might back them for their next contest against KKR. If given a chance, both players will look to regain their form by delivering an explosive start to their side.   

Middle-order batters: Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen

In the last game against PBKS, Rahul Tripathi exuded confidence with his bat. The 32-year-old played an unbeaten 74-run knock off just 48 deliveries and shattered the confidence of the visitors to take his team home. Against KKR, he will look forward to continuing his excellent work.

After concluding his national duties, skipper, Aiden Markram, joined the SRH camp against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) but got dismissed on 0 in his first game of the IPL 2023 edition. Forgetting his previous game’s failure, Markram looked aggressive against PBKS. In the must-win match against Punjab, he played a captain’s knock (unbeaten 37 runs off 21 deliveries) to take his team home comfortably. Witnessing the confidence of their captain, the SRH management will expect him to take bowling attacks to cleaners in their upcoming matches.

Heinrich Klaasen will strive to utilise his marvellous batting skills to win upcoming clashes for SRH. The wicketkeeper batter made it to the playing XI in the match against PBKS but didn’t get a chance to bat. For his national team South Africa, the Protea has played a lot of match-winning innings and he will try to do the same for his new IPL franchise as well.

All-rounders: Washington Sundar and Marco Jansen

Washington Sundar hasn’t been up to the mark in the tournament. Along with big names in the line-up, his numbers have also been horrendous with the bat. Playing three games so far, the 23-year-old has racked up 17 runs in two innings of three games. In the next few matches, the youngster will look to improve his numbers.

Marco Jansen’s addition to the squad has brought strength to the SRH bowling line-up. Playing the maiden game of the season, the lanky Protea bowler dominated PBKS batters with his ferocious pace bowling. Clinching 2/16 figures with the ball, he powered his team to clinch an eight-wicket win.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik, and T. Natarajan

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has struggled to pile up wickets in the competition. The veteran, who has bagged numerous games for SRH in his vast IPL career, is looking out of rhythm since match 1 of the tournament. The veteran has only picked two wickets so far in three matches at an expensive economy of 9.77. But considering his experience and glorifying records, the team management might play with him in further matches.

Mayank Markande showcased his class again in the cash-rich league. In his debut game for SRH against PBKS, the leg-spinner displayed his efficiency with his disciplined bowling. Riding on his economical and wicket-taking spell of 4/15, the hosts routed the Shikhar Dhawan-led team by a comfortable margin. On the spinning track of Eden Gardens, his endeavours will be to dominate the KKR batters.

In SRH’s pace attack, Umran Malik is a vital cog due to his fierce fast bowling. The speedster struggled in the initial two matches of the season but his bowling display in the home game against PBKS will bring joy to the faces of SRH supporters. Grabbing 2/32 in his four-over spell against the Punjab Kings, he showcased his class at the home ground. Relying on his striking power, SRH will look to outclass their rivals in the ongoing tournament.

T. Natarajan has put up an impressive show with the ball thus far. Against RR, most of the SRH bowlers struggled to contain runs and pick wickets but the 32-year-old utilised his experience and skills and turned out to be the most successful bowler in the game for his side. He continued his brilliant form in the next game against LSG as well. These performances will surely lift up the spirits of the Sunrisers and they will expect him to carry on his good bowling display in the upcoming clashes.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Probable Playing XI:

Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Marco Jansen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik, and T Natarajan.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Impact Players:

Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Kartik Tyagi, Anmolpreet Singh and Samarath Vyas