IPL 2016, GL vs SRH Playing 11: List of today’s Probable XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will lock horns with debutants Gujarat Lions (GL) in the15th match of VIVO IPL 2016 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot tomorrow. It will be an interesting contest between the current leaders GL, with their experienced batting lineup and SRH’s potent bowling attack.

After their victory against an insipid Mumbai Indians, a David Warner-led SRH will be on a high and hoping to build upon their good showing in Mumbai. With many top quality foreigners in their squad, SRH have managed to pick a decent combination so far and might just tinker with it against the Lions.

Here is the likely XI for SRH for the match against GL.

Top-Order:

David Warner is dead certain to retain his spot, as is Shikhar Dhawan. The Indian southpaw had a poor T20 world cup and has continued the lean patch into the IPL. But, a recent vote of confidence from VVS Laxman should allow him to play more freely. Moises Henriques came in at number 3 in the last match, and I personally believe that he’ll continue to do so.

Williamson is still an injury doubt, so ideally Eoin Morgan should retain his place in the starting line-up.

Middle-Order:

In the face of Yuvraj Singh’s continued absence from the side, the middle order seems a bit fragile with the likes of Deepak Hooda and Naman Ojha being SRH’s best bet. The onus though will once again be on Ojha, who hasn’t really been able to replicate his for form the Rajasthan Royals.

The local boy Ashish Reddy will be expected to hold his own and provide some impetus owing to his experience and being one of the older players in the side.

Lower-Order:

SRH lost Ashish Nehra and that has been a big blow to their IPL fortunes, maybe even bigger than Yuvraj, considering the Delhi-based pacer’s strong showing in the recently concluded T20 World cup. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Barinder Sran, while being able supporting casts, don’t seem to have that X-factor to be potent T20 bowlers.

Thus the entire responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Mustafizur “The Fizz” Rahman. The Bangladeshi quickie took the cricketing world by storm with stupendous performances against India, Pakistan, and South Africa and had a marvelous World Cup too.

In spite of all the video analysis and team meetings, oppositions have not been able to crack the ‘Fizz” code. His almost unpickable variations and propensity to get the best players in the opposition out make him the most dangerous T20 bowler in the world currently; just ask Andre Russell.

The lack of a top quality spinner though may hurt the SRH’s hopes of IPL success, with Karn Sharma being the only recognized name in the lineup. Bipul Sharma replaced him in the last match, and though he went for some runs, he looks like a better bet than his compatriot.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s likely XI (in batting order): David Warner (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, Eoin Morgan,Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha (wk), Ashish Reddy, Bipul Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mustafizur Rahman, Barinder Sran