Hyderabad: Into the business end of IPL and the fight for the top two spots in the run-up to the playoffs is hotting up with Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders sitting pretty at the first and second spots respectively. Chasing the big two are Rising Pune Supergiant and Sunrisers Hyderabad, who square off in the first match on a scorching Saturday.
With RPS on the third slot with 14 points and SRH fourth with 13, the clash is crucial for both teams as push to replace KKR on the second rung. However, Smith & Co. will be wary of the fact that none of the visiting teams has managed to conquer the citadel of the Orange Army.
Pune have got their equation right with their top order being a prime source of strength while Jayadev Unadkat, Washington Sundar and Imran Tahir — the second highest wicket taker of the tournament — have tested the batsmen’s nerves on various occasions.
Rahul Tripathi, who anchored a dominant win for the visitors against the tricky bowling line-up of KKR, has been a consistent performer for Pune while big Ben Stokes has caused enough damage to the opponents with both bat and ball along with Australian discard Daniel Christian.
Even as the RPS side is filled with the likes of Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane and M. S. Dhoni, who has been in the mixed form this season, SRH are all geared up to make it 6-0 at home this season. “Our boys are all set to make our home a fortress, so far we have been good and we would keep the momentum rolling,” captain David Warner said.
The home side’s batting has been in full throttle from the word play, courtesy David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan who have utilised the powerplay period well to put rival bowlers on the backfoot while Kane Williamson and Yuvraj Singh have kept the scoreboard ticking throughout.
With no Ashish Nehra in the side, the hosts have managed well in the bowling department with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan and Siddarth Kaul leading the charge while local lad Md Siraj has too contributed by picking some handy wickets.
Considering the humidity in the city, the match will be a real test for the team bowling first. However, both teams will be in no mood to let go of the opportunity to occupy the second place on the table.
