IPL 2024 : Rajasthan Royals will be eager to move past their last encounter with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where a narrow one-run loss disrupted their momentum in the tournament.
IPL 2024 :
has reached its final stages with just three teams remaining. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to face the winner of Qualifier 2, a showdown between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), in the title clash on Sunday in Chennai. The previous encounter between SRH and RR on May 2 resulted in a narrow one-run loss for the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals, which significantly impacted their campaign.
IPL 2024:Rajasthan Royals seemed poised for a top-two finish, but their form declined in the second half of the tournament. Four consecutive defeats cost them two chances to secure a spot in the final. However, their winless streak ended at a crucial moment when they triumphed over the in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.
On the other hand, SRH are coming off an eight-wicket loss in Qualifier 1, where KKR thoroughly dominated them. SRH struggled to get their usual explosive start and were dismissed for 159, a target that KKR chased down in just 13.4 overs. This performance epitomizes SRH’s inconsistent season.
Aside from their narrow four-run loss in the opening game, SRH’s other five defeats have been quite decisive, a consequence of their high-risk strategy throughout the tournament. It will be interesting to see if they continue with this aggressive approach or have a Plan B ready for the knockout match.
What: RR vs SRH, IPL 2024 Qualifier 2
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
When: May 24, Thursday
Time: Toss at 7:00 PM, Play starts at 7:30 PM
Team News IPL 2024 :
IPL 2024 RR : Sanju Samson finally achieved the desired outcome in the knockout clash against RCB. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s runs and Riyan Parag’s consistent performance were significant positives, but the standout was R Ashwin’s control during the middle overs. The veteran off-spinner took two crucial wickets – Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green – while conceding just 19 runs in his four overs.
This season, RR have primarily relied on five specialist bowlers, and with Yuzvendra Chahal not in peak form, Ashwin’s recent consistency has been a positive sign for the team. The target against RCB wasn’t too daunting, but RR must ensure a strong start if they aim to go all the way in the tournament. In Jos Buttler’s absence, Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, and it is crucial for this duo to provide a solid and fluent start at the top of the order.
The bowling department boasts a wealth of experience, and the key now is for the batting lineup to perform cohesively. This season has been Samson’s best so far, but he has faced some setbacks in the last five matches. If the batting unit clicks together, they will be a formidable force to reckon with!
IPL 2024 SRH : In Qualifier 1, Pat Cummins & Co. were thoroughly outclassed across all facets of the game, and Travis Head’s consecutive disappointments are a concern for the team. Facing left-arm seamers in the last two matches proved challenging for the aggressive opener, and now he faces the formidable Trent Boult in Chennai tomorrow.
Rahul Tripathi has been instrumental in SRH’s recent performances, delivering crucial innings in their last two fixtures. His fluency at No.3 will be pivotal for the team’s success. However, the strategy is expected to remain unchanged, with SRH openers Head and Abhishek Sharma aggressively taking on the opposition and aiming to provide another blazing start for the side.
In case the aggressive start doesn’t materialize, SRH must have a Plan B ready for the high-pressure encounter. The middle-order should be prepared to adapt to any situation, with Heinrich Klaasen taking on the responsibility of guiding the younger players through challenging phases. Adaptability will be key for SRH to navigate through different scenarios effectively.
IPL 2024 Squads :
SRH :Pat Cummins (c), Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Rahul Tripathi, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Sanvir Singh, Heinrich Klaasen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Agarwal, T. Natarajan, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Upendra Singh Yadav, Umran Malik, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Travis Head, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Jaydev Unadkat, Akash Singh, Jhathavedh Subramanyan.
RR : Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa (withdrawn), Prasidh Krishna (injured), Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger, Tanush Kotian (replacement for Adam Zampa), Keshav Maharaj (replacement for Prasidh Krishna)