Cricket
Today’s IPL Match: SRH vs RR Qualifier 2 Prediction, Head-to-Head, Chennai Pitch Report and Who Will Win?
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It will be a battle between SRH’s power-packed batting line-up and RR’s dream spin attack when a wounded Hyderabad take on a resurgent Rajasthan in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 in Chennai for a place in the final. SRH, who finished second in the league stage, are coming off a loss to KKR in Qualifier 1, while RR are buoyed by their win against RCB in the Eliminator. However, both teams struggled in their last games in Chennai. SRH collapsed to 134 while chasing 213 against the Super Kings, and RR managed only 141 for 5, losing by five wickets.
The collapse against KKR would have surely been a key topic in SRH’s pre-match discussions as they prepare to face Rajasthan at the M Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, vying for a spot in the finals against the Knight Riders. RR, too, don’t have fond memories of their last outing in Chennai. Both teams struggled against CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja and off-pace medium-fast bowling. As the tournament progresses, spin is expected to become more influential, giving RR an advantage.
The aggressive batting prowess of Abhishek, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen has been a standout narrative of IPL 2024 for SRH. Head and Abhishek, affectionately called “Travishek” by fans, have amassed impressive runs this season, with Head scoring 533 runs and Abhishek 470, including a combined 72 sixes. Heinrich Klaasen adds to their firepower with 413 runs and 34 sixes. However, the Chepauk pitch will be a challenge, as it’s known for being sticky and difficult for stroke-making. Ashwin’s expertise on this pitch and Chahal’s form could trouble SRH’s top order. SRH will rely on T Natarajan, their leading wicket-taker, and experienced bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pat Cummins, despite recent struggles. SRH’s weakness lies in their lack of quality spinners, with Mayank Markande and Shahbaz Ahmed not posing significant threats.
RR’s batting lineup may lack explosiveness, but their bowling unit is among the best, featuring a left-arm swinger upfront, two world-class spinners in the middle, and two skilled seamers at the death. The outcome of their bowlers versus SRH’s batters could decide the finalist. RR, having broken their five-game losing streak against RCB, will look to Yashasvi Jaiswal for runs, while skipper Sanju Samson and middle-order batsman Dhruv Jurel need to improve their performances. The team will also rely on power hitters Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Riyan Parag.
KEY BATTLES: SRH vs RR
TRAVISHEK vs BOULT: The “Travishek Express” has been stalled recently due to Travis Head’s consecutive ducks. Left-arm pacers have rattled his off-stump twice in a row—first Arshdeep Singh from PBKS and then Mitchell Starc from KKR. Head’s poor shot selection has been to blame. Powerplay specialist Trent Boult will be eager to exploit this weakness. SRH openers have been impressive, boasting a season strike rate of 11.48 runs per over in the first six overs. Boult, with an economy rate of 6.71 in the powerplay and nine wickets this season, will be a key threat.
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CHAHAL, ASHWIN vs KLAASEN: Heinrich Klaasen hit some stunning sixes in SRH’s win against PBKS, showcasing his strength against spin with a strike rate of 193.68 this IPL. RR’s spinners will need to counter this threat. R Ashwin, after a slow start, has found his form and knows the Chennai pitch better than anyone playing on Friday. His four overs could be crucial for RR in containing SRH’s big hitters. Yuzvendra Chahal, despite struggling with big hits, remains capable of taking key wickets.
IPL Qualifier 2: Chennai Pitch and weather conditions
The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch is known to favor bowlers, especially spinners, due to its significant grip and turn. This spin-friendly surface poses a challenge for batters, limiting scoring opportunities and likely leading to a match dominated by bowlers. Teams may prefer to bowl first if they win the toss. Recent records support this strategy, as chasing teams have won five of the seven games this season.
Cricket fans in Chennai can expect favorable weather for the upcoming match. Though cloudy, there’s no chance of rain. Temperatures may reach 32°C, testing players’ endurance, but winds at 19 km/hr should provide some relief. Humidity will be around 76%, impacting both batters and bowlers.
IPL Qualifier 2- SRH vs RR: Team News
SRH can bring in Aiden Markram or Glenn Phillips for Vijayakanth Viyaskanth to strengthen their batting, with Mayank Markande replacing Sanvir Singh as the leg-spinner. If batting first, SRH can start with Head, Klaasen, and captain Pat Cummins, adding Phillips or Markram as needed.
SRH Predicted XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Phillips/Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (capt), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande
For RR, the slow Chepauk pitch might make Keshav Maharaj a tempting third-spinner option. If bowling first, including Maharaj might limit them to two seam-bowling options. If batting first, RR can start with three overseas players and bring in Powell or Maharaj as the Impact Player, depending on the match progress.
RR Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer/Keshav Maharaj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal.
IPL Qualifier 2- SRH vs RR: Who Will Win?
The Qualifier 2 is expected to be a high-octane tense clash with both RR and SRH vying for a berth in the final and their second IPL title. However, Chepauk’s slow pitch might give Rajasthan a slight edge because of their superior spin attack.
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