KKR to face one last hurdle at Hyderabad
Chennai’s defeat against Delhi Daredevils has helped Sunrisers Hyderabad retain their position at the top. A last-match defeat might still keep them there on the basis of net run-rate (NRR), something which will decide the fate of the teams placed over DD in the points table.
Five teams are in the race for the two remaining playoff berths and the match (on May 19) between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals will dismiss the odd one out.
The next game of the day at Hyderabad between the hosts and Kolkata Knight Riders will be a must-win one for the latter who currently have a two-point lead over the other four contenders of the playoff-spots, but could face difficulties due to NRR, should they lose their last clash. A win might also give them a spot in the top two, depending on the result of CSK’s next game.
SRH are guaranteed a finish in the top two and have nothing to lose in their last game. Yet, the team will definitely to strike to end their two-match losing streak when they meet KKR tonight. They had comfortably won the away clash by five wickets and have registered a total of nine wins in 13 games.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Basil Thampi conceded 70 runs in four overs in SRH’s last game against RCB. Bhuvneshwar Kumar could replace him in playing eleven ahead of their clash against KKR. SRH would want their bowlers to regain confidence after a miserable display in the last game.
With a string of brilliant bowling displays at the start of the season, SRH batsmen had to prove a point that the team can rely on them when the need arises and they have tried their best in the last game and would look to repeat the same against KKR.
Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Alex Hales, Kane Williamson(c), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan, Shreevats Goswami(w), Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma
Kolkata Knight Riders
The men led by Dinesh Karthik have a tough away challenge ahead and a defeat here could put their playoff chances in jeopardy. However, back-to-back wins in their last two matches have boosted their confidence and they will surely utilize it against the clinical opponents.
KKR might play Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna on Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium’s surface. Their batters have been doing well and would look for another fine team effort against SRH.
Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Alex Hales, Kane Williamson(c), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan, Shreevats Goswami(w), Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Basil Thampi, Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma
Prediction
KKR have won twice in the four matches they have played against SRH at this venue. On the other hand, SRH have maintained a solid record at home and have lost only one of their six matches here this season. However, KKR are likely to edge out SRH in this game as they have no other option but to win this match to qualify for the next round.
