Yashasvi Jaiswal battled the bat against DC after making a contribution on the field.
Rajasthan Royals started their campaign in spectacular fashion by winning their first two games. But since then, they have been on a downward spiral losing their next four. Even a return to Sharjah did not help their cause in their most recent meeting on Friday (October 9) against Delhi Capitals. Now they face a team that has had a completely different start than their own. SRH lost its first two games, but won three of the next four.
More importantly, David Warner and Co. are returning to a workforce that has brought them great success over the years. The openers are clicking and helping the side put races on the board. And the bowlers are doing the job with Rashid Khan also now back between the grounds. And if launches continue to slow, it’s going to be more than a handful going forward. So while SRH continues to check most of their boxes, the Royals are struggling. They’re still unsure of their best XI and with a weak batting order, they rely heavily on their best hitters who haven’t weathered this load of expectations well.
Sanju Samson hasn’t shot after those brilliant cameos in Sharjah, Steve Smith’s hitting has followed a similar pattern and Jos Buttler only has one great score. Yashasvi Jaiswal has yet to find his rhythm, Robin Uthappa has been eliminated and that middle order has been under pressure most of the time as a result. And that’s precisely why the Royals will be betting heavily on Ben Stokes making his long-awaited comeback. England’s off-roader has completed its quarantine and the Royals expect it to appear immediately.
Skipper Smith wasn’t sure if he’d play as early as Sunday noon after coming out of quarantine on Saturday, but even if he’s rusty, RR would want him. Stokes’ presence would be a much-needed boost for a team lacking in confidence. His presence as a reassuring figure in the middle order can also free the hitter at the top. Without forgetting the energy he brings to the field, Stokes is undoubtedly the missing link in this game XI. But they are going to need more players to raise their hands to change their luck.
When: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 26, IPL 2020, 2:00 PM Local, 3:30 PM IST
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
What to expect: 9 of the 10 games have been won by teams that hit first so far at this venue. Considering that the surface has shown a tendency to slow down in the second half of innings, the captain who wins the toss would want to put runs on the board. Without forgetting that this is also a day game.
Team news:
Hyderabad sunrises
SRH has no reason to change that winning combination. They are expected to keep their XI from the previous game.
Likely XI: David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed
Royals of Rajasthan
If Stokes is deemed fit to play, he is expected to replace Andrew Tye. If the surface is on the slower side, a return to XI for Jaydev Unadkat cannot be ruled out as he may be more effective than Varun Aaron with his cutters.
Likely XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler (WK), Steve Smith (C), Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Mahipal Lomror, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Aaron / Jaydev Unadkat
Did you know
–Jofra Archer fired Warner in 4 of the 5 innings the pair faced each other in the recent two-way series.
– The Royals are currently on a four-game losing streak, the most combined they have lost consecutively in a season. They lost four in a row each in 2011 and 2012.
– SRH is the only opponent that Buttler is averaging less than 20 against with an SR of less than 100. He has been fired by Rashid in the last three innings against this opposition.
– Sanju Samson will play his 100th IPL match.
What they say:
“He’s a world-class bowler, he’s great to have. He always delivers in pressure situations. He loves those things. What a player.” – SRH pattern David warner about Rashid Khan
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