IPL 2020: Match 47, SRH vs DC – SRH Predicted Playing XI

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their last game against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). The bowlers did everything in their capacity to restrict the opposition to just 126 runs. David Warner and Jonny Bairstow provided the side with a brilliant start by scoring 52 runs in the powerplay. From there, many expected it to be a cakewalk for the Sunrisers.

However, destiny had other plans for them. They were too sluggish in the middle phase of the innings and that took the required run rate slightly above six. That proved to be enough for the middle-order to crumble and the batting order collapsed as if it were a pack of cards. In the end, a 12-run defeat was inflicted upon them, also taking them a step further away from the playoffs.

With three games left, each one of them is a do-or-die for David Warner and his men. In the upcoming game against the Delhi Capitals (DC), the ‘Men in Orange‘ will be hopeful of putting up a good show and keeping their chances alive. The batsmen should look to step up and put a better show this time around.

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

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

As long as David Warner was out in the middle during the last game, it seemed as if he played keeping the NRR in mind. His knock of 20-ball 35 reminded the fans the Warner of the old – the ‘Bull’ before he became the ‘Reverent’. He looked quite intimidating but only if he could carry on further and make it a big knock. Against what is possibly the strongest bowling attack in IPL 2020, Warner will have a massive role to play along with Jonny Bairstow. The English cricketer seemed slightly ‘off’ in the last two or three games and should look to be back at his best.

Middle Order (Manish Pandey, Priyam Garg)

Manish Pandey, after that wonderful knock against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), played an uncharacteristically slow knock in the last game. In 29 balls, he could only score 15 runs which resulted in pressure being asserted on the other batsmen. Pandey, at three, should be more authoritative with the bat and should look to drive the game forward as he did against RR.

Priyam Garg, on the other hand, is a fine batsman and has got all the shots in the book. But when there is pressure, he has often failed to stick to his natural game and tries to hit the ball too hard. In the process, he loses his shape and doesn’t get the power behind the shot. That happened in the last match as well and that is something he should look to correct.

All Rounders (Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder)

Vijay Shankar has been bowling well in the tournament but his services weren’t required in the last match. He scored 26 runs with the bat and looked as if he’d take his team home. However, a throw from a fielder hit him on his helmet while he was running between the wickets and that lusty blow seemed to have got the better of him. He looked alright after that throw hit him and should play this match.

Jason Holder and Abdul Samad will be the other all-rounders in the line-up. Holder has been doing a great job with the ball and even picked up two wickets in the last game. SRH, though, will want him to deliver with the bat as well. Abdul Samad will be the floater in the line-up and can roll his arm over if required.

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

Rashid Khan has been the triumph card for David Warner with the ball. The Afghan leg-spinner picked up a couple of wickets in the last game as well and game away just 14 runs. The pacers also have been going well. Sandeep Sharma picked up two wickets against KXIP including that of the dangerous Glenn Maxwell. The left-arm pacers, T Natarajan and Khaleel Ahmed couldn’t get amongst the wickets but hit good areas and put pressure on the batsmen.