SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) are ready for the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The match will happen at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad. This is the 57th game of the IPL 2024 season. The match is on Wednesday, May 8th.
SunRisers Hyderabad are fourth in the league table right now. They have 12 points so far. Lucknow Super Giants are just below them in fifth place. They also have 12 points at the moment.
This game is critical for both teams since it will determine who of them makes the cut and becomes the fourth club to attempt to qualify for the playoffs later this season.
We examine three major player clashes to keep an eye out for in this game:
1. Pat Cummins (SRH) vs KL Rahul (LSG)
One of the most intense confrontations in this game will be between the captains of the separate franchises. While SRH has been guided by Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins this year, LSG has put their faith in India wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul.
Rahul will begin the batting for LSG in this encounter and is slated to face Cummins. If he can outperform Cummins by picking up his slower bouncers and treating them as if they were intended to be, LSG will be on top.
However, if Cummins has the upper hand against Rahul, SRH will be able to dictate terms throughout the match.
2. Travis Head (SRH) vs Naveen-ul-Haq (LSG)
Star LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who took three wickets in his team’s previous game, a dismal loss to KKR in Lucknow on Sunday, will face the marauding Travis Head in this encounter.
The latter is known to tuck into all bowlers hoping to enter the powerplay and deliver the goods.
Head likes to find room for himself by carving pitches up and over the cover fielder to score runs, and here is where Naveen must be cautious. He cannot afford to give Head the space and pace he requires to play his shots or create any that will propel SRH to a huge total.
To compete with Head, the Afghan seamer will need to be on his game.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy (SRH) vs Ravi Bishnoi (LSG)
Nitish Kumar Reddy, SRH’s fresh star who plays for Andhra in domestic cricket, will face leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi in this match.
Reddy has been in fantastic form lately, and he will be responsible for carrying the SRH middle order in this game.
Bishnoi is a cunning operator, and he will know precisely how much spin and bounce will be available at the Uppal Stadium on Wednesday. If Bishnoi can catch Reddy in this game, LSG will have the advantage over the hosts.
However, if the latter succeeds and showcases his products, the visitors will have nowhere to hide.