Struggling Rajasthan Royals will look to bring their A-game against a good Sunrisers Hyderabad team at Dubai International Stadium. Sunrisers Hyderabad has lost key players to injuries but still have been able to win 3 out of 6 matches and are sitting in the top half of the table. Bairstow-Warner has done well and when any one of the two have played deep and scored big Hyderabad have done well.
Their middle order is still fragile and when opening fails it becomes difficult for them to post a competitive total. Their management would hope that middle order comes good sooner than later. Their bowling has been excellent and without Bhuvneshwar they managed to defend in their last match. Natrajan, Rashid have been brilliant and Sandeep-Khaleel have supported them well. Their fifth bowler remains a worry as Samad+Abhishek were taken to cleaners by Pooran in the last match.
Fifth bowling option can hurt them in later stages of the tournament and would hope that both youngsters would lift their game and be more economical. Hyderabad fielding has been good so far and likes of Garg, Williamson, Samad have been very safe. Rajasthan Royals have lost 4 consecutive matches and are placed at no 7th in the table. They seem to have forgotten about the things they were doing right when they were winning.
They have not clicked as a team lacking in every department. Smith, Samson have not scored runs in last 4 matches and that has exposed their middle-order too early which have left them to resurrect their innings. Smith, Butler, Samson should take responsibility of batting deep so that others can play around them. Their bowlers, except Archer, have conceded too many runs and have allowed the opposition to score 180+-200 and chasing above 9 runs per hour on a pitch getting slow becomes extremely difficult. Their Indian fast bowling should get their act together and support Archer.
Another defeat and that would leave Royals to win every match which is never going to be easy. SRH should be aware of the top order of Rajasthan but will fancy their chances in the day game encounter. Rashid would like to have a go at Royals middle order. Hyderabad starts as favourites for the match.
