Khaleel Ahmed becomes the third player to make his debut in the IPL playoffs

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is approaching its business end and we are just a few nights away from determining the best franchise of the season. Only three teams are in contention to lift the title. While CSK have already made it to the finals, either of SRH or KKR will challenge the yellow brigade for the coveted title.

Over the past seasons, we have seen that Indian fast bowlers are a big asset to the franchises. The presence of 2-3 good Indian bowlers provides an excellent look to the franchise. The Sunrisers Hyderabad have a handful of Indian quicks who have done well for them on a consistent basis. Teams usually do not like to tinker with the lineup late in the tournament but their poor run in the last few games have forced them to make three changes in the second qualifier. Khaleel Ahmed becomes only the third player in the history of the cash-rich tournament to make his debut in a playoff fixture.

Who are the other two?

The Sunrisers Hyderabad included the 20-year old in Qualifier 2 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. He is preceded by Nayan Doshi who made his IPL debut featuring for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Deccan Chargers. Follows him is Sunny Gupta who made his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils in the 2012 2nd Qualifier. SRH’s opponents KKR fielded only 3 foreign players in the crucial game. Dinesh Karthik brought in Shivam Mavi and Javon Searles was excluded from the playing XI.

It is a high-pressure game and KKR will be keen to carry on the winning momentum against SRH who have tapered off a bit in the last few games. Both teams have a good bowling attack and it remains to be seen who would get the final shot at the title.

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