IPL 2018: RR vs SRH- Star players who can be the match-winners if they step-up for their franchises

The Rajasthan Royals take on the Sunrisrers Hyderabad in a crucial encounter at the Sawai Mansingh stadium this weekend. While the Sunrisers are coming into the game after two brilliant victories courtesy their bowlers, Royals need to make the most of their home advantage.With the SRH bowlers doing an incredible job in restricting the oppositions, it all depends on how well their batsmen and all-rounders complement the bowlers by putting up a decent score on the board.

Sadly, that has not been the case for the Orange army so far, as many of their batsmen have been struggling for runs.With the Royals losing three out of their six matches so far, they need to put up a strong fight to overcome the threat of Sunrisers's bowling unit. Let us now look at two players who can make the difference in this crunch Super-Sunday fixture at Jaipur if they step-up.

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Ben Stokes (Rajasthan Royals)

Ben Stokes

Stokes, who made his IPL debut last season playing for the now-defunct, Rising Pune Supergiant scored 316 runs and took 12 wickets in the 12 matches he played for the Pune franchise. His rich experience in the shortest format was of great help to the RPS, as they reached the finals where they lost to the Mumbai Indians by one run . This season, Stokes was once again the most expensive buy at the auctions as the Rajasthan Royals bought him for a mammoth INR 12.5 crore.In the six matches so far, the Most Valuable player of the last edition has scored 147 runs with his highest score being 45 against the Chennai Super Kings.

Stokes, who had a poor start to the season is now is back to his usual best after the scores of 45 and 40 against Chennai and Mumbai. With just a solitary wicket to his name this season, he needs to step up and put up a better all-round display and justify the enormous price tag and the faith of Rajasthan management. But is hard write off a player like Stokes who can single-handedly turn the course of the game. So watch-out for the flamboyant Englishman when the Royals take on Williamson's men at Jaipur this weekend.

Jaydev Unadkat (Rajasthan Royals)

Jaydev Unadkat

After a wonderful stint with the now-defunct, Rising Pune Supergiant his fortunes changed as he was bought for a whopping INR 11.5 crore by the Rajasthan Royals during this year's auctions. Unfortunately, the Porbander pacer who took 24 wickets last season could not replicate his success story this season. May be the pressure of the enormous price tag and the expectations of the management has weighed down on him.

With just three wickets from matches this season at an unimpressive economy of 10.05, he needs to put up a brilliant display in order to retain his place in the playing eleven. Unadkat, who is known for his cutters, swing and toe-crushers is yet to announce his arrival this season. But he can be the Royals' main-weapon if he is back to his usual best.

Yusuf Pathan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Yusuf Pathan

The hard-hitting Indian is one of the best all-rounders in the IPL history. Pathan won the inaugural season with the Rajasthan Royals and was the Man of the match in the finals, for his all-around contributions against the Chennai Super Kings. In 2011, he moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders where he won two titles in 2012 and 2014.The Sunrisers Hyderabad bought the Baroda player at this year's auctions for INR 1.90 crore. Though Pathan struggled initially this season, he is back to his usual best after some useful knocks against the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

He is no doubt a game changer and he has proved that on several occasions in his IPL career, sexpect him to come out hard at the Rajasthan bowlers. He knows the conditions well and might be the the Sunrisers' triumph-card against the Royals in Jaipur. In seven matches this season, Pathan has scored 145 runs at a strike-rate of 128.31, with his highest score being 45 against MS Dhoni's men. So, watch out for the big-hitting Baroda all rounder this weekend.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan has been playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2013 and won the title with them in 2016. He has been a prolific scorer at the top-order over the years for the Orange army. Dhawan was retained by the Sunrisers using the RTM card for INR 5.2 crore at this year's auction. Dhawan, who has featured in six matches for the Sunrisers this season has scored 146 runs at a strike-rate of 136.44.

For a player who has scored above 3500 IPL runs, this start is a bit slow. Due to the absence of David Warner, Dhawan was expected to them a resounding start at the top. But, Gabbar is not at his usual best so far and he must raise his game in the game against Rajasthan to lay the platform for Sunrisers's innings.