It is time for the battle between the Orange army and the men in pink for the first time this season. David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals at the Dubai International cricket stadium on a Sunday afternoon.
Both sides have had a patchy form this season as Rajasthan Royals have only won their first two games of the season which came at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium but ever since those wins they’re on a losing streak of 3 matches, the latest loss coming against Delhi Capitals two days back.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad have also looked sloppy this season with three wins and three losses they haven’t looked in great touch this season. Obviously, the injury concerns have hit them hard with the loss of Bhuvneshwar Kumar being an irreplaceable one.
Also Read: Michael Vaughan Predicts End of Glorious Years For CSK in IPL
Which is why this encounter between the two sides is expected to be a contest of sheer high volume as both teams will be in the hunt for another win this season.
Let’s Take a Look at the five key players to watch out for when Rajasthan Royals lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad:
1. Priyam Garg
The young and sensational Priyam Garg has looked in phenomenal touch this season. After playing that sizzling knock against Chennai Super Kings in the death he has shown us what he is actually capable of.
Talking about his form, he along with Abhishek Sharma have been the heart and soul of the Sunrisers Hyderabad death over batting this season as we all know Sunrisers Hyderabad do not have known finisher in the lineup which is why the performance of Priyam Garg has been key to Sunrisers Hyderabad finishing games off this season.
2. Jos Buttler
The Englishman missed the first game due to quarantine regulations but since his return, he’s looked in decent touch opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals. Though he hasn’t a big score yet, let’s just expect a quick-firing innings from the explosive batsmen from England very soon as he’s been already giving Rajasthan Royals those key starts.
Rajasthan Royals, who are coming from a four-match losing streak will hope Buttler to fire at the top to return to winning ways.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Sunil Narine’s Bowling Action Under Scanner After KKR’s Game Against KXIP
3. Ben Stokes
The arrival of the all-rounder from New Zealand was the most anticipated one for Rajasthan Royals fans. Given that Ben Stokes has now landed in the UAE and has completed his quarantine period we very much expect him to make it to the Rajasthan Royals playing 11 in the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Since Ben Stokes is an all-rounder he adds a lot of variety and also balances the struggling Rajasthan Royals side. He has been in excellent touch since the last year and Rajasthan will want the all-rounder to solve their woes.
4. Jonny Bairstow
The wicket-keeper batsman from England has looked in superb touch this season in the IPL. He has notched up three fifties so far and has looked a dangerous threat to the opposition every time he has come out to bat.
Jonny Bairstow should eventually be one of those high scorers for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season with the form he is in. He will hope to keep up his excellent form as Hyderabad aim to keep up their place in the top half of the points table.
5. Yashavi Jaiswal
The young batsman from Mumbai has looked in decent touch this season even though he has played only three games. But in the last game against Delhi capitals at Sharjah, he struck 34 runs off 32 deliveries which looked like a pretty decent innings to most of us.
Given that Jaiswal has now being a regular starter in the Rajasthan Royals set up we expect him to hit a quickfire 50 very soon which is why he is one of those players to watch out for in the match-up against Sunrisers Hyderabad.