Despite an impressive start to IPL 2017 that has seen Sunrisers Hyderabad win four of their opening six games, David Warner’s side are yet to win a single away game in the tournament. They will look to correct that against Rising Pune Supergiant as the game marks the first of three consecutive away trips for the defending IPL champions.
In the 24th match of IPL 2017, they take on Rising Pune Supergiant at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Here is the possible playing XI for the reigning IPL champions –
Openers
David Warner will himself admit that he hasn’t been at his best in this year’s IPL. Yet he is amongst the leading run-getters in the tournament and has shown a way to get out of any tricky situation that he finds himself in. On a good batting deck, he will look to make hay and get back to his fluent best against one of the worst bowling line-ups in the competition.
Shikhar Dhawan’s form has earned huge praise from VVS Laxman and the Indian opener has proved to be a great foil for David Warner so far in the tournament. While the southpaw hasn’t been at his blistering best, he has been amongst the runs and set the platform for the middle-order to come in and wreak havoc.
Middle-order
Kane Williamson came in for Ben Cutting for the game against Delhi Daredevils and so impressive was his performance that is hard to look beyond him to continue at the No.3 slot and provide extra time on the bench for the Australian all-rounder.
Yuvraj Singh hasn’t had a great start to IPL 2017 despite scoring his fastest IPL fifty in the opening game against RCB. While he did pick up two crucial wickets in the last game, he will want to be more consistent with the willow in hand, especially with the Champions Trophy not too far away.
Naman Ojha hasn’t had a great deal to do with the bat but has been largely impressive behind the stumps in an SRH side packed with quality bowlers who rely heavily on the fielders to back up their good work. He will be hoping to contribute with the bat sooner rather than later and also tighten up his work with the gloves.
All-rounders
Moises Henriques got the nod ahead of Ben Cutting in the battle of the Australian all-rounders who make the starting XI. He has the faith of captain David Warner and while he might take a little while to settle into his new role in the middle-order, he has the potential to make that his own and contribute with the ball as well.
Deepak Hooda has struggled to replicate his sublime domestic form in IPL 2017 so far. Although he hasn’t always got a lot of time in the middle with the bat, he hasn’t looked at home when he has been afforded that as well. He will be keen to correct that against Pune on a good batting deck.
Spinner
Rashid Khan has been one of the finds of the tournament so far as batsmen have struggled to pick his deliveries as a result of the flight and pace at which he bowls. While the Indian batsmen have generally been better at picking him, the fact that Pune are likely to go with Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Dan Christian might mean that Rashid could be back in business once again.
Seamers
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the best bowler in the tournament so far by some distance. It is not just that he takes a lot of wickets but also the way in which he bowls that will be a great source of inspiration to the Indian fans ahead of the Champions Trophy. The right-arm pacer has got the new ball to swing and his control over yorkers at the death is only getting better with each game.
Siddarth Kaul replaced the experienced Ashish Nehra and has shown plenty of character in bowling to his fields and nailing his yorkers at the death overs. He has formed a potent death bowling combination with Bhuvi for SRH and will continue to take his place ahead of Nehra against RPS.
Mohammed Siraj made his IPL debut against Delhi Daredevils. While he did go at nearly 10 runs per over, he also picked up the crucial wickets of both openers and that should be enough for him to keep his place in the side. Although he doesn’t bring a lot of variety to the side, his presence ensures that both Bhuvi and Kaul can bowl at the death without being required to bowl too many overs during the powerplay.
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