Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have now lost three games on a trot and finds themselves in a tricky situation in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Desperate for a win, the last Hyderabad would have wanted to face Chennai Super Kings. The defending champions are on a roll having lost only one game so far. To add, MS Dhoni & Co have defeated Hyderabad four times in the last season including the finals. With all the statistics against them, Hyderabad will look to change their fortunes when they take on Chennai on April 17 (Wednesday) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Sunrisers Hyderabad tinkered with their playing XI resting senior cricketers Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan. However, it didn’t work as they succumbed under pressure triggering a dramatic collapse. One of the two cricketers if not both will slot back in the playing XI. On the bowling department, Rashid Khan will have to shoulder the responsibility with Bhuvneshwar Kumar to keep the Chennai Super Kings batters at check.
On the part of Chennai, all eyes will be on Ambati Rayudu who failed to secure a World Cup berth and will have a point to prove. It will be his home ground at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium – a place where Rayudu absolutely loves to bat. Otherwise, Chennai Super Kings have been clinical with both bat and ball and will only look to keep up the good work they have been doing over the years under MS Dhoni. However, Dhoni is likely to take a break after sustaining a slight niggle in the last game against Kolkata Knight Riders. Suresh Raina will lead Chennai in his absence.
Toss Report
Chennai Super Kings skipper Suresh Raina has won the toss and elected to bat first against at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Here is what both the captains had to say,
Kane Williamson
Good decision Suresh. We were going to bat first as well. It’s important to bowl first up and do the job. The top two have been outstanding. It’s a tough format, but the guys need to go out with freedom and express themselves. The guys are looking forward to tonight’s game. Ricky Bhui and Abhishek Sharma are out, Pathan and Nadeem are in. So that we get the right balance.
Suresh Raina
We are going to bat first. I think batting first is a good option on this wicket. I think we need to be good in the powerplay. It’s all about executing our plans. Dhoni wanted to take some rest; he’ll be back in the next game. Karn Sharma comes in the side in place of Santner and is Dhoni is not playing, Sam Billings comes in for him.
Playing XI
Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson (capt), Vijay Shankar, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, K Khaleel Ahmed
Chennai Super Kings: Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina (Capt), Ambati Rayudu, Sam Billings, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir