IPL 2019: Dean Jones responds to a fan's idea about who should open for SRH along with Martin Guptill

Some fans have come out and suggested that SRH could use some pinch hitters as openers from the already regular team.

Published - 08 May 2019, 20:06 IST | Updated - 08 May 2019, 20:06 IST

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The Sunrisers Hyderabad will meet the Delhi Capitals at a neutral venue as the playoff number two will be hosted by Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The ground in Vizag has hosted 11 IPL matches – two in 2012, three in 2015 and six in 2016. However, the SRH who have been known for their strong display of batting in the powerplay in the IPL 2019 will be short of their most powerful opening batsmen.

In their bumpy ride in IPL 12, their biggest positive was the opening pair of star batsmen David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. Numbers speak for them as the Aussie aggregates 692 runs in 12 innings and the English ‘ginger ninja’ has amassed 445 runs in his 10 appearances. While Bairstow played his final innings in this season on April 23 scoring a duck vs CSK, Warner appeared last for SRH scoring a splendid 81 against the KXIP on April 29.

Both players then left India to join their respective national duties ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that starts on May 30. Warner, who has finally made his return to Australian colors after a year-long ban, is already playing for Australia XI, who are playing warm-up games against New Zealand XI in Brisbane for the showpiece event. Estranged former captain, Steve Smith has also made his comeback along with Warner.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers had to replace the two power-packed openers after they left. New Zealand limited-overs specialist Martin Guptill was called in. As of now, the setup is such that Guptill and Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha are opening the batting for Hyderabad. But there’s no attacking as such and the Sunrisers are surely missing some great powerplay knocks since Warner and Bairstow left.

Some fans have come out and suggested that SRH could use some pinch hitters as openers from the already regular team. Although the idea seemed a little quirky, it could work out well on the flat pitch of ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag, the venue for tonight’s playoff. A fan addressed the Dug-Out expert Dean Jones on Twitter asking him if it was a good idea to promote either Rashid Khan or Yusuf Pathan as an opener. Dean Jones replied saying that Rashid Khan would be a good idea.