SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 50th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday, May 2. Having won five games out of nine, SRH are placed fourth in the IPL 2024 standings. On the other hand, RR are currently placed first in the IPL 2024 standings with 16 points on the board after winning eight matches out of nine.
Ahead of this exciting clash, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
SRH Predicted XI
Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma, one of the most promising batters in IPL 2024, will open the innings for SRH in the upcoming game. Sharma has been in exceptional form, scoring 303 runs in nine matches at a magnificent strike rate of 214.89. His performance will be crucial if SRH aim to set a formidable total on Thursday.
Travis Head
Australian opener Travis Head has made a huge impact in IPL 2024. The left-handed batter has amassed 338 runs at an impressive average of 42.25 and a remarkable strike rate of 211.25. Head has also recorded a century and two half-centuries this season. Expected to open alongside Sharma in the upcoming match, he will be keen to provide SRH with a strong start against RR.
Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram is set to bolster SunRisers Hyderabad’s top order. Despite scoring only 199 runs in nine matches this season, the South African batter will look to contribute significantly in the next game and ease the pressure on the team’s openers.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy, a talented all-rounder, has done his bit in the SRH lineup. With 143 runs and three wickets in six matches, he has showcased his ability with both bat and ball. Reddy will be keen to exert pressure on RR’s batters and bowlers with his versatile skills.
Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper)
Renowned for his aggressive approach to batting, Heinrich Klaasen has emerged as one of the most dangerous batters in IPL 2024. Having amassed 295 runs in nine matches, the South African boasts an impressive average of 42.14 and a striking strike rate of 185.53. Klassen’s power-hitting skills have been instrumental in SRH achieving record-breaking totals, making him a player to keep an eye on during Thursday’s match.
Shahbaz Ahmed
Shahbaz Ahmed will look to solidify his spot in SRH’s middle-order. The all-rounder has been impressive, scoring 176 runs and remaining unbeaten in three of them. With the ball, Shahbaz has claimed three wickets in nine matches, providing valuable support to the team’s spin bowling unit.
Abdul Samad
Abdul Samad has found his aggressive batting form and often left SRH fans in awe in the ongoing IPL. The right-handed batter has piled up 148 runs at a scintillating strike rate of 187.34. Samad will be a raring to showcase his batting skills against RR in the upcoming match.
Pat Cummins (captain)
SunRisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins has been particularly effective with the ball, claiming 10 wickets in nine matches. He can also provide depth to the lower order, having scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 140 this season.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Known for his swing variations and bowling the right lengths, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to open the bowling for Hyderabad. The Indian pacer has scalped five wickets in nine matches and will want to improve his tally in the upcoming match against RRi.
Jaydev Unadkat
Jaydev Unadkat’s inclusion in the playing XI adds variety to SRH’s bowling attack. The left-arm pacer’s ability to swing the ball and vary his pace has led him to take eight wickets in seven matches. His experience in the IPL could be vital as he can provide crucial breakthroughs when needed and maintain pressure on the opposition throughout the match.
T Natarajan
Indian fast bowler T Natarajan will lead the SRH bowling attack. Natarajan has taken thirteen wickets in just seven matches, showcasing his skill in generating swing and bowling accurate lengths. He is the top wicket-taker for SRH this season and will need to be at his best to restrict RR.
Impact sub
Anmolpreet Singh
RR Predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal
RR’s flamboyant opener Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to form with a match-winning century against Mumbai Indians. Chasing 180, Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 104 off just 60 balls to guide RR to a nine-wicket win in Jaipur and the southpaw will look to continue his resurgent form against SRH.
Jos Buttler
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s opening partner Jos Buttler has also been in scintillating form this season. Buttler has scored 319 runs in eight games at an average of 53.17 and a strike rate of 150.47, including a magnificent ton against KKR and he will aim to produce another big knock in Hyderabad.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been one of the standout performers for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 385 runs in nine games at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 161.09.
Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag has been one of the leading run scorers for RR this season so far. Batting at No. 4, Parag has accumulated 332 runs in nine matches at an average of 55.33 and a strike rate of 159.62. He will once again hold the key in the middle order for the Royals against SRH.
Dhruv Jurel
Dhruv Jurel is another quality inclusion in RR’s playing XI and the youngster has scored 102 runs in nine matches in IPL 2024. With RR’s top-order firing, Jurel has had limited opportunities but will look to impress in Hyderabad.
Shimron Hetmyer
West Indies’ explosive batter Shimron Hetmyer is one of the top finishers in T20 cricket. Hetmyer has scored 70 runs this season in his limited opportunities at an impressive strike rate of 194.44. He will look to contribute against SRH if he gets time in the middle.
Rovman Powell
West Indies’ T20I captain Rovman Powell is a match-winner on his day. The 30-year-old has played four matches for the Royals this season and has chipped in with some handy contributions. He is expected to retain his place in RR’s playing XI against SRH.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin can contribute with both bat and ball in the T20 format. However, Ashwin has picked up two wickets and scored only 53 runs in eight matches this season. He will be raring to have more of an impact in RR’s upcoming games.
Trent Boult
RR’s star pacer Trent Boult has provided early breakthroughs for the Royals in IPL 2024. The left-arm fast bowler has scalped 10 wickets in nine matches at an economy of 7.81 and could trouble the SRH batting line-up on Thursday.
Avesh Khan
Avesh Khan has been a wicket-taker for RR this season. The right-arm pacer has claimed nine wickets at an economy of 9.54 in just as many games and will be crucial in the middle overs against SRH.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal has been the leading wicket-taker for RR in IPL 2024. The star leg-spinner has already bagged 13 wickets in nine matches and could once again be the wrecker-in-chief for the Royals in Hyderabad.
