Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is gearing up to face off against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 18th match of IPL 2024 on April 5th in Hyderabad. This encounter marks SRH’s second home game of the season, adding an extra layer of anticipation for the local fans. SRH’s journey in the current season has been a mixed bag so far.
SRH kicked off with a defeat against KR but bounced back strongly in their next fixture against Mumbai Indians, where they posted a formidable total of 277 and clinched victory by 31 runs. However, their momentum stumbled in the subsequent match against Gujarat Titans, failing to defend a modest total of 163.
As the team currently sits at sixth position on the points table, their upcoming clash against Chennai Super Kings presents a formidable challenge. SRH has historically struggled against CSK, winning only five out of nineteen encounters while suffering defeat in fourteen. Moreover, their recent track record against the Yellow Army is far from impressive, with four losses in the last five encounters.
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Heading into this crucial fixture, SRH faces significant challenges, particularly in their bowling department. The absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, whose return is delayed by another week, has left a void in the spin department, placing added pressure on specialist spinner Mayank Markande. Additionally, the underperformance of Mayank Agarwal at the top of the batting order has emerged as a major concern, with just 59 runs to his name in the first three games at an average of 19.67.
In light of these issues, SRH may contemplate strategic changes in their playing XI for the upcoming match against CSK, aiming to address their shortcomings and regain momentum in the tournament.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s struggles against left-arm pace have been a recurring theme in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) matches this season. As CSK prepares to take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the latter might look to exploit this weakness by including Jaydev Unadkat in their lineup. Unadkat, a seasoned left-arm seamer, boasts an impressive record at the venue, having claimed 13 wickets in just 22 overs.
Probable XI: Mayank Agarwal, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Jaydev Unadkat [Impact Sub: Washington Sundar/Umran Malik]
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK faces a dilemma with Mustafizur Rahman unavailable due to visa processing for the T20 World Cup. The team management must decide whether to opt for Maheesh Theekshana on a slow surface or to bolster their batting by bringing in Shardul Thakur. Theekshana’s spin could be effective, but SRH possesses several spin-hitting options, including Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma, who have displayed impressive strike rates against spinners since IPL 2022.
If the pitch favors batsmen, CSK might opt for Thakur, known for his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. Thakur’s track record against SRH’s key batters, particularly Abhishek Sharma, makes him a compelling option. With Thakur’s knack for dismissing Sharma and Klaasen, his inclusion could add depth to CSK’s bowling attack and pose challenges for SRH’s formidable batting lineup.
Probable XI: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana/Shardul Thakur [Impact Sub: Maheesh Theekshana/Matheesha Pathirana]
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head (c), Rachin Ravindra, Abishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Aiden Markram, Daryl Mitchell, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Pat Cummins
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Rachin Ravindra, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Aiden Markram, Daryl Mitchell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Deepak Chahar (vc), Matheesha Pathirana
