IPL 2020: Match 29, SRH vs CSK – SRH Predicted Playing XI

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would have been really disappointed after their performance against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the last game. They had things in their control pretty much for the first 37 overs of the game. However, in the last three overs, Rahul Tewatia ‘did a Tewatia’ once again. Moreover, Riyan Parag chipped in and this duo took the game away sensationally.

With 3 wins in 7 games, SRH aren’t in a great position at this stage. To keep the playoff hopes alive, they need to start winning on a more consistent basis from here on. They will be taking on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their upcoming match. In 13 games thus far, CSK won 9 against SRH. But the ‘Men in Orange’ defeated MS Dhoni and his men earlier in this season. That, along with the fact that CSK aren’t doing so well at the moment, should give some confidence to the Sunrisers.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Sunrisers Hyderabad for SRH vs CSK:

Openers (Jonny Bairstow (wk), David Warner (c))

In the last game, Jonny Bairstow played an unconventionally slow knock. He was out in the middle for 19 balls but could get only 16 runs. He scored only 10 runs in the first 17 balls and then smashed a six. After hitting that one over the ropes, he tried to hit the next ball out as well but perished in the process. Jonny should be aggressive right from the start as he is at his best when he does that.

David Warner has been good with 275 runs in 7 games. However, the skipper hasn’t been able to convert his 30 or 40-plus scores into big ones. Given the fact that he scored just two fifties and has the highest score of just 60 is a testimony of the same. He must look to stay out in the middle throughout the 20 overs and help SRH get to a big total.

Middle Order (Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg)

The Sunrisers Hyderabad should try to use Kane Williamson at number three. He seems to be in great touch and can create a much bigger impact if he gets more balls to face. The Kiwi skipper has been hitting the ball beautifully and has made an impact towards the end of the innings.

Manish Pandey, meanwhile, is someone who can get going from the first ball. He hasn’t been really impactful at three as he’s been slow to get off the blocks. He scored 54 off 44 balls in the last game and couldn’t accelerate towards the end due to the heat. Priyam Garg will hold on to his spot in the eleven. He can hit the long ball and raced his way to 15 off 8 in the last match.

All-Rounders (Abhishek Sharma, Vijay Shankar)

If there is one possible change that SRH might look at, it could be bringing in Abdul Samad in place of Abhishek Sharma. However, the southpaw had his opportunities limited with the bat thus far. He hasn’t got a lot of balls to face with the bat and has done a decent job whenever he was given the ball. He might hold on to his position.

Vijay Shankar, who came back into the side in the last game, will continue in the side. Since he is there lower down the order, the top-order batsmen of SRH could possibly take a few more chances and be aggressive. Vijay bowled three overs in the last game and gave away 22 runs.

Bowlers (Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed)

Rashid Khan has been the pick of the bowlers for SRH. The leg-spinner has been a real game-changer even though he couldn’t deliver in his final over in the last game. David Warner will bank on his to bowl the important overs in the upcoming game as well. With some of the CSK batsmen sceptical against leg-spin, he could have a massive role to play. Rashid picked up 10 wickets in the tournament thus far.

T Natarajan has been doing a decent job but should look to get a couple of variations more in his armoury to get amongst the wickets more frequently. Khaleel Ahmed, on the other hand, was on fire with the new ball but couldn’t deliver towards the end of the innings. SRH will want him to improve upon that aspect. Sandeep Sharma should possibly get another chance before they ponder over trying out someone else.