IPL 10, Match 44, SRH v RPS: Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI

A buoyant Rising Pune Supergiant side lock horns with a confident Sunrisers Hyderabad at their own den in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Sunrisers’ winning streak was put to an end by a resilient Delhi Daredevils side as they lost the third position in the points table to the Rising Pune Supergiant shortly after. Out of the 11 games, they have played, Sunrisers have managed to win six of them and lost four. They shared a point with the Royal Challengers to accumulate 13 points.

The top-order of the Sunrisers has done the bulk of the scoring. Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, and Kane Williamson have been in superlative form with the bat and when they failed to provide a platform the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Deepak Hooda, and Moises Henriques have stepped up to deliver the goods for their side.

The bowling attack is spearheaded by the Purple Cap holder Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Siddharth Kaul and the new kid on the block Mohammed Siraj. The domination of these bowlers has been such, that Chris Jordan, and Ben Laughlin have not been able to break into the side. That said let us look at the predicted XI of the Sunrisers’ squad in tomorrow’s fixture against Rising Pune Supergiant.

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner)

A Sunrisers Hyderabad opening lineup without David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan is unimaginable as they have toppled all records in IPL history. In this edition of the IPL, Dhawan has looked pretty much at his majestic best. He has amassed as many as 369 runs in the ten matches, at an average of 37 scoring two fifties in the process with the best of 77.

Meanwhile, from the other end, David Warner has been at his explosive best and it was not too long ago when he scored 126 against Kolkata Knight Riders. The current orange cap holder has accumulated 489 runs at an astounding average of 61.12, and a strike rate of 150. He has also hit the most number of sixes in the tournament. Furthermore, the duo has the most number of century stands in the tournament (5 times).

Middle Order (Kane Williamson, Yuvraj Singh, Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha)

Since he played his first match against the Daredevils where he scored an electric 89, Kane Williamson has been unstoppable at the number three position. He has aggregated 228 runs until now at a strike rate of 161.7 and average of 57. He has already scored a couple of half-centuries to build up for the business end pretty strongly.

Together with Dhawan and Warner, the trio has led the Hyderabadi onslaught. And on some occasions when they failed the solid middle order have responded accordingly. It was heartening to see Yuvraj Singh at his best against the Delhi Daredevils with his unbeaten knock of 70. Yuvraj has not got enough opportunities with the bat but he showcased in the last match that when the time comes he is ready with a reply.

Deepak Hooda and Naman Ojha too have played vital cameos lower down the order to propel the score in the death overs and provide necessary impetus.

All Rounder (Ben Cutting)

The only experiment Tom Moody and co. would look to make is the addition of Ben Cutting into the scheme of things. Even though Moises Henriques has been satisfactory with the bat, he has leaked far too many runs. Therefore, the obvious replacement for Henriques would be Cutting.

Not only is he useful down the order, Sunrisers can utilise his variations of pace during the middle stages of the game. The addition of Cutting completely changes the balance of the side as he can definitely offer four economical overs with a wicket here and there and deal a few lusty blows down the order.

Bowlers (Rashid Khan, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Siddharth Kaul, Mohammad Siraj)

Rashid Khan has been the find of the tournament for the Sunrisers’ and is a contender for the Purple Cap. There was time during the initial stages of the tournament when the Purple Cap juggled between the two Sunrisers i.e. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan. Together they have claimed as many as 33 wickets at an economy of 6.6 and 6.8 respectively.

Mohammed Siraj and Siddharth Kaul haven’t disappointed as well as they have taken up the additional responsibility of chipping in with crucial wickets without leaking too many boundaries. David Warner has five genuine bowlers to complete their quota of four overs. Yuvraj Singh can always fill in if any bowler has a rough day.