IPL 2020: Match 40: Rajasthan Royals Vs SunRisers Hyderabad: SRH Predicted XI

SunRisers Hyderabad have a monumental task at hand after undergoing six losses and earning only three victories in IPL 2020. SunRisers Hyderabad have sustained three defeats on the bounce to Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders and need to win all their games moving forward. The 2016 IPL champions should have essentially got over the line against KKR; however, were unable to withstand Lockie Ferguson’s pace in the super over.

They will face Rajasthan Royals in their upcoming encounter in Dubai. Rajasthan Royals will not only take confidence in beating SunRisers Hyderabad in their last meeting but also beating Chennai Super Kings convincingly. The inaugural IPL champions seem to have found the correct team combination after a constant changing and chopping and shuffling the batting order. Hence, they should be a formidable team to beat.

We take a look at SunRisers Hyderabad’s predicted XI ahead of their IPL 2020 game against Rajasthan Royals:

Jonny Bairstow (wk):

Jonny Bairstow was involved in a fiery opening stand against the Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi, adding 58 for the opening wicket with Kane Williamson. Jonny Bairstow mustered 36 off 28 deliveries that included seven fours. However, he threw away his start to leggie Varun Chakravarthy, holing out to long-off.

Kane Williamson:

Kane Williamson opened with Jonny Bairstow for the first time in IPL 2020 and gave the SunRisers a blazing start against Kolkata. In 19 balls, the elegant right-handed batsman smashed 29 runs that contained four fours and a six. Williamson was the first of the five victims including two in the super over for Lockie Ferguson.

Priyam Garg:

Priyam Garg arrived at number three against Kolkata Knight Riders and could not make an impact at that position. While facing seven balls, Priyam Garg managed only four runs before Lockie Ferguson dislodged his stumps.

David Warner (c):

David Warner batted at an unusual position against the Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi and fared well. David Warner initially found it hard to get going; however, stayed unbeaten at 47 off 33 deliveries. To his dismay, the skipper was not able to manage two runs off the last delivery and perished early in the super over. The southpaw would be keen to turn things around and avenge the loss against Rajasthan Royals.

Manish Pandey:

SunRisers Hyderabad dearly needed Manish Pandey to stick around for chasing down a tricky target of 164 successfully. However, he could not as Lockie Ferguson bamboozled him with a perfect yorker that hit the off-stump. The right-handed batsman departed only for 6 off seven deliveries.

Vijay Shankar:

Vijay Shankar stayed at the crease with David Warner for a bit; however, did not even reach double figures in ten deliveries. The right-handed batsman became a victim of the Knight Riders’ spearhead Pat Cummins as he miscued a pull shot to backward point. Nevertheless, Shankar was the most economical bowler, conceding only 20 runs in four overs while accounting for Nitish Rana.

Abdul Samad:

Abdul Samad added 37 runs off 22 deliveries with David Warner at the end; however, could not take his side over the line against the Knight Riders. Abdul Samad perished for 23 runs in 15 balls at the last ball of the 19th over when 17 runs were required. The youngster’s knock comprised of two fours and a six.

Rashid Khan:

Rashid Khan was amongst the most economical bowler against the Knight Riders, giving away only 28 runs in four overs. The Afghan leggie also took the wicket of Shubman Gill, breaking a promising stand of 29 between him and Nitish Rana. However, Rashid was unable to defend two runs in the super over.

Sandeep Sharma:

While Sandeep Sharma did not pick a wicket against the Knight Riders, he proved economical, conceding only 27 runs in four overs. Sandeep Sharma has stepped up in the absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, regularly creating chances and keeping his overs as tight as possible.

Basil Thampi:

Basil Thampi replaced Khaleel Ahmed for the SunRisers against the Knight Riders and picked the wicket of Eoin Morgan but proved expensive. Basil Thampi went for 46 runs in four overs with the last over going for 16 runs that proved costly for the Orange Army at the end.

T Natarajan:

T Natarajan has been the find for the SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2020 as he has managed to deliver yorkers quite regularly. T Natarajan dismissed Rahul Tripathi and Andre Russell in the game against Knight Riders, conceding 40 runs in return. The left-arm seamer has accounted for 11 wickets in nine games so far; hence, he will surely retain his spot.

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