IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals
When a wounded Hyderabad face a resurgent Rajasthan in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 in Chennai, it will be a battle between SRH’s powerhouse batting lineup and RR’s fantasy spin attack for a spot in the final.
SRH, who finished second in the league stage, are coming off a setback to KKR in Qualifier 1, while RR is riding high after defeating RCB in the Eliminator. However, both teams lost in their final matches in Chennai. While SRH crumbled to 134 chasing 213 against the Super Kings, RR finished on 141 for 5, losing by five wickets.
The collapse against KKR would have undoubtedly been a hot topic in SRH’s pre-match conversations as they prepare to face Rajasthan at the M Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, seeking for a position in the final against the Knight Riders. RR, too, does not have good recollections of their last outing in Chennai. Both sides battled with CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja and his off-pace medium-fast bowling.
As the tournament progresses, spin is likely to become increasingly important, providing RR an edge.
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SRH- The batting powerhouse
Abhishek, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen’s aggressive hitting prowess has been a highlight of SRH’s IPL 2024 campaign. The SRH openers have been excellent, with a season strike rate of 11.48 runs per over through the first six overs.
Head and Abhishek, nicknamed “Travishek” by fans, have both scored remarkable runs this season, with Head reaching 533 and Abhishek 470, including a combined 72 sixes. Heinrich Klaasen adds to their firepower with 413 runs and 34 sixes.
Potent spin attack of Rajasthan Royals
RR’s batting lineup may lack explosiveness, but their bowling unit is among the best, with a left-arm swinger up front, two world-class spinners in the middle, and two talented seamers at death.
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R Ashwin, despite a difficult start, has found his form and understands the Chennai pitch more than anyone else playing on Friday. His four overs should help RR restrict SRH’s powerful hitters. Yuzvendra Chahal, although struggling with big smashes, is still capable of getting vital wickets.
Key battles: SRH vs RR
Head-Abhishek vs Boult: The “Travishek Express” has suddenly slowed because of Travis Head’s consecutive ducks. Left-arm pacers have rattled his off-stump twice in a row, first Arshdeep Singh of PBKS and then Mitchell Starc of KKR. Head’s bad shot selection was to blame. Trent Boult, the powerplay specialist, will be keen to exploit this weakness.
Klaasen vs Chahal-Ashwin: Heinrich Klaasen blasted some incredible sixes in SRH’s victory over PBKS, demonstrating his prowess against spin with a strike rate of 193.68 this IPL. RR’s spinners will have to counter this menace.
