Match: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals (SRH vs DC)
Date: April 25, 2021
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium – Chennai, India
Sunrisers Hyderabad started their season with three losses in a row before they managed to pull things up and get the better of Punjab Kings in their last clash. Other than Jonny Bairstow, who has 173 runs in the edition thus far, SRH have been let down by the poor form of their batters, with skipper David Warner not living up to his reputation. The loss of T Natarajan will be a huge one to the side, while there is no update on the fitness of Bhuvneshwar Kumar either.
Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have been led by Shikhar Dhawan, who currently holds the Orange Cap. He has been batting with intent as has his opening partner Prithvi Shaw. However, the rest of the line-up have blown hot and cold, with very little contribution from skipper Rishabh Pant.
Weather Update and Pitch Report of SRH vs DC:
The temperature will be in the mid thirties, with plenty of humidity on offer. The night will be unpleasant, and the track will be a tough one to bat on. We saw a target of 130 testing the rivals in the last game at the venue, which is evidence of how tough batting here has been. The team that wins the toss will undoubtedly want to bat first, as the pitch gets tougher as the match progresses.
SRH Expected XI and Team News:
T Natarajan has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL, which is a huge loss to a side that was struggling for form. Bhuvneshwar Kumar injured his thigh last time out and did not complete his overs. If unfit, Sandeep Sharma might come into the XI.
X Factors:
Jonny Bairstow: The Englishman has been the only impressive SRH batter in the edition thus far. He was in terrific form in the white-ball series as well, and has been averaging close to 64 with the bat in his last 7 matches in India (IPL and international combined).
Probable XI:
David Warner (c) , Jonny Bairstow (wk), Kane Williamson, Virat Singh, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul
DC Expected XI and Team News:
The Delhi Capitals are unlikely to make changes to the side with their four foreigners remaining Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer and Kagiso Rabada. The side might get in Anrich Nortje as well later on in the edition, but the South African is unlikely to feature on Sunday.
X Factors:
Rishabh Pant: The skipper has not had the best run in the season thus far, striking at less than 130 in the 68 balls that he has faced. However, he was in tremendous form in the last few months, and will want to play a captain’s knock. The middle order does not give out great confidence, and Pant will have to take on the onus in the death overs.
Probable XI:
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (c) , Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan
Head to Head record of SRH vs DC:
Overall: Overall, the two teams have played each other on 18 occasions, with SRH having the advantage. They have won 11 matches thus far, while Delhi have managed only 7 victories.
Player matchups:
Shikhar Dhawan vs Rashid Khan: The left-hander does not have the best record against the top bowler, striking at only 95.65 against him after 23 deliveries. He has been dismissed by Rashid Khan once, and SRH might get him into the attack upfront to keep Dhawan silent.
David Warner vs Kagiso Rabada: The Australian has a phenomenal record against the South African, striking at nearing 163 against him in three seasons of the IPL. Though Rabada has dismissed Warner on three occasions, this match-up is hands down won by Warner.
Statistical Preview:
- David Warner has been one of the biggest stalwarts for the SRH side. He just needs 51 more runs to complete 4000 IPL runs for the franchise.
- Warner is also just 46 runs away from scoring 10000 T20 runs.
- Warner currently has 199 sixes, and a six more will take him to 200 sixes in the Indian Premier League.
- Two players can score 1000 IPL runs in the match on Sunday. While Sunrisers’ Jonny Bairstow needs another 37 runs to get to the feat, Prithvi Shaw of Delhi Capitals is 61 runs away from scoring 1000 IPL runs.
- SRH do not have the best record at Chennai, the venue for the upcoming game. They have won just one game at the M A Chidambaram Stadium – against Punjab Kings in their last encounter of the ongoing season.
Match prediction of SRH vs DC:
Sunrisers Hyderabad have a number of issues to resolve ahead of the upcoming clash, and will find it tough against a strong Delhi side. However, Delhi have their own troubles, and SRH could give them a fight.
MPL Fantasy XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Rishabh Pant, David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Prithvi Shaw, Vijay Shankar, Lalit Yadav, Avesh Khan, Rashid Khan and Khaleel Ahmed
Captain and vice-captain selection:
Rashid Khan: The spinner is undoubtedly one of the best players in the circuit, and has been a key for SRH over the seasons. He is the most economical bowler for the side this year, and has picked up 5 wickets – the highest by any SRH bowler.
Shikhar Dhawan: The left hander has been impressive this year, and has scores of 85 and 92 in the games that he has played. He can play according to the situation, and will be crucial yet again.
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