By BD Narayankar
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 intensifies, all eyes are on the second qualifier set to take place at MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are meticulously preparing their game plans, with the slow, sticky pitch at Chepauk likely to play a decisive role in this high-stakes encounter.
SRH face a formidable challenge in the form of RR’s spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal. Known for their craftiness, both spinners are expected to thrive on the sluggish Chepauk pitch.
SRH’s usual aggressive batting might need a recalibration. Instead of their typical power-hitting, they could benefit from a more nuanced approach focused on strike rotation and building solid partnerships to navigate the spin threat. Ashwin’s vast experience combined with Chahal’s leg-spin could prove to be a tough nut to crack.
The adaptability of SRH’s batsmen will be critical. Key players like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who have been in stellar form this season, will need to adjust their game. Head has amassed 533 runs at an impressive strike rate of 199.62, while Abhishek has been equally prolific with 470 runs at a strike rate of 207.04. Their ability to shift gears and play a more patient innings might be the key to countering RR’s spin attack.
RR, while strong in their bowling department, will also face a tough test against SRH’s diverse bowling lineup. With star opener Jos Buttler absent, the onus will be on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore to provide a solid start. The middle-order, featuring Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rovman Powell, will be crucial in either setting a formidable total or anchoring a chase.
Precision, timing, and strategic shot selection will be vital for the RR batsmen to counter SRH’s bowlers, especially considering the local expertise of T Natarajan and the leadership of Pat Cummins. Natarajan’s left-arm seam and Cummins’ pace and experience will be pivotal in both the powerplay and death overs.
This qualifier promises to be a gripping contest of skill, strategy, and adaptability. The team that can best navigate these challenges will earn a coveted spot in the IPL 2024 final, bringing them one step closer to the championship glory.
Teams
SRH: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen , Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins , Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, T Natarajan, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik, Anmolpreet Singh, Glenn Phillips , Rahul Tripathi, Washington Sundar, Upendra Yadav, Jhathavedh Subramanyan, Sanvir Singh, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Marco Jansen, Akash Maharaj Singh and Mayank Agarwal.
RR: Sanju Samson , Abid Mushtaq, Avesh Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Kuldeep Sen, Kunal Singh Rathore, Nandre Burger, Navdeep Saini, Ravichandran Ashwin, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Rovman Powell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Trent Boult, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal and Tanush Kotian.
