With Kings XI Punjab’s loss to Rajasthan Royal yesterday, the points table has opened up again. With their backs against the wall, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore will be eyeing two vital points as they go head to head in Sharjah today.
While SRH convincingly won their last game with an 88-run wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals, RCB lost their last match with Mumbai Indians winning the match by five wickets. However, with the KXIP-RR game having gone Rajasthan’s way, the points table opened up and every game is important for the six teams — RCB, SRH, DC, KXIP, KKR and RR — to book a place in the playoffs.
Hyderabad is going into this match with confidence but is likely for changes. Since Wriddhiman Saha, who picked a groin injury in the last game and was wicketkeeper in the second innings, is likely to be replaced with Shreevats Goswami. All-rounder Vijay Shankar is also likely to be out after picking an injury in the same game. Abhishek Sharma is likely to come into the side.
Bangalore is likely to make only one change, benching veteran pacer Dale Steyn for either Isuru Udana or Adam Zampa. RCB will be hopeful for Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to fire with the bat and hopeful their bowlers do well in the Powerplay. For SRH, David Warner will look to be in top form and take the attack to RCB. However, Yuzvendra Chahal possesses a threat to SRH batsmen. This match will make or break SRH’s chances to qualify for playoffs, considering their run rate is far better than the other five teams looking to book a playoff berth.
