Sunrisers Hyderabad playing without David Warner have remained undefeated in the competition so far. They have won both their matches but both the matches were played at home. Now for the first time, they travel away. The destination is not far as they reach Eden Gardens to face Kolkata Knight Riders who have won one and lost one.
Here are the five things to look forward to –
1. Andre Russell’s menacing form
Kolkata Knight Riders were heavily struggling at one stage. Although the score was 90 in the 10th over, Kolkata had lost half their side. At 90/5, even the score of 160 looked distant. But Knight Riders had two of their best hitters on the pitch in Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell. The rest of the night belonged to Andre Russell, who ended up with smashing 88 runs off 55 balls with 11 sixes.
At the 15 overs mark, Kolkata Knight Riders stood at 123/5 with Andre Russell on 20*(16)
This is how the next five overs went
17th over – 19 runs (Three Sixes hit off Dwayne Bravo)
19th over – 21 runs (Three Sixes hit off Dwayne Bravo)
20th over – 14 runs
Andre Russell finished with 88 runs off 36 balls. The hurricane innings consisted only one four but a whopping 11 sixes!
If SRH wants to stay alive in the game, they will have to keep Andre Russell down.
ALSO READ: IPL 2018: Match 10 ( KKR vs SRH ) – Probable XI
2. Tackling Rashid Khan
The 19-year old Afghan sensation Rashid Khan is playing his second IPL season this time around. The batting teams are still struggling in finding a solution to tackle this leg-spinner who has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. In the first match of the season against Rajasthan, he bowled four overs for 23/1. In the last match against MI, he was the man of the Match with 18 dot balls in the innings.
Kolkata Knight Riders have good batsmen of spin in their ranks but Chris Lynn and Andre Russell will be struggling to pick the speed and turn of Rashid Khan.