SRH vs RR: "Aiden Markram should play tonight" - Hanuma Vihari drops crucial suggestions for SRH ahead of Qualifier 2

The Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) missed the golden opportunity to make it to the Indian Premier League (IPL) final for the only third time after they were crushed by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The SRH have had a remarkable season under Cummins' captaincy, finishing in the top two in the standings in the IPL 2024 league phase with 17 points from 14 games, with a match washed out due to rain against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 19.

Everything was going well for the Orange Army, but the KKR outclassed Cummins and his Army in every department in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 on May 22 with their dominant all-round performance, winning the final ticket with an eight-point win over the SRH in Ahmedabad.

SRH set to face RR in IPL 2024 Qualifier 2

However, the SRH have another opportunity to make it to the IPL 2024 Final by thrashing the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, May 24, with the summit clash taking place at the same venue on Sunday, May 26.

Ahead of the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 between SRH and RR, Indian batter Hanuma Vihari dropped crucial suggestions for the Orange Army to beat the Royals in the match and set the final date with KKR.

Cummins and the SRH team management overlooked Aiden Markram and Mayank Markande for the crucial game, and it played a big role in their massive defeat against the KKR, denying them to make it to the finals.

During the match, cricket experts also voiced their opinion that the SRH should have picked Mayank Markande, as their bowling attack looked clueless against the KKR batters in Ahmedabad.

Hanuma Vihari calls for Aiden Markram and Mayank Markande's inclusion in SRH vs RR Qualifier 2

Well, ahead of the SRH vs RR Qualifier 2 in Chennai, Hanuma called for Markram and Markande’s inclusion in Hyderabad’s playing XI for this important clash at the Chepauk Stadium, which often assists spinners, against RR on Friday.

The young leg-spinner Markande can prove handy for the SRH in Chennai, and while Makram is a fluent stroke-maker and can play spin effectively with good technique, RR’s bowling arsenal is decorated with some of the dangerous spinners.

Vihari believes that SRH needs Markram, who can anchor the innings, and he has the advantage to bowl off-spin at Chepauk Stadium, despite the Royals having only left-hander Shimron Hetmyer in their line-up. There are high chances of SRH playing Markram at No. 4 against RR, as Glenn Phillips hasn't played a single game so far this season.

Hanuma Vihari wrote on X: “Markram should play tonight. Chennai pitch needs a steady player. Markram & Mayank Markande should play.”

Markram should play tonight.
Chennai pitch needs a steady player.

Markram & Mayank markande should play.

— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->4<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

The spinners of SRH have recorded the lowest average (54.38) and economy rate (11.20) among all teams in IPL 2024. Additionally, their economy rate during the middle overs (7-16) stands at 9.98, the highest among all teams this season. So, it remains to see whether SRH picks Markane or goes with Jaydev Unadkat for this important clash against the RR.