IPL 2019, Match 8, SRH vs RR: Three predicted changes for today’s game

In the 8th match of IPL 2019, Sunrisers Hyderabad are all set to face Rajasthan Royals at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Both the teams will be coming into the match hoping to change their fortunes.

While SRH looked in a commanding position for the most part of the game against KKR before Andre Russell took the match away from them, RR fell sort of chasing the target against KXIP after looking good for the large part.

Both the teams would have realized that closing out games is really important in IPL. They would be hoping to do much better in the second match to register their first win of the tournament. SRH were the runners up in the last edition, while RR had reached playoffs.

The season has just started and few losses now might not have a lasting impact but both the franchises would want to register a win on Friday. The teams might want to make some tweaks ahead of the match to have better chances to win the match.

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#1. Kane Williamson for Jonny Bairstow

Kane Williamson

Jonny Bairstow had a fairly decent outing in the first game, scoring 39 runs from 35 balls. However, he is expected to make way for last year's Orange Cap holder- Kane Williamson.

Williamson was superb last year and provides the solidity to Hyderabad's batting line up. Other batsmen like David Warner, Shakib Al Hasan and Vijay Shankar can play around him. It would be tough on the highly rated Bairstow but someone has to make the way for the captain.

The Kiwi skipper is also expected to resume his captaincy duties, which will allow Bhuvneshwar Kumar to focus only on his bowling. Bhuvneshwar made a few strange calls as captain in the previous game against Kolkata. Williamson's experience as a captain would come in handy as well.

#2. Khaleel Ahmed for Sandeep Sharma

Khaleel Ahmed

Sandeep Sharma has the ability to swing the new ball both ways but he failed to do so in the first match. The swing bowler might struggle to retain his place in the second match. The last year's runners up have a bowler like Khaleel Ahmed waiting in the wings.

The young left-arm fast bowler can provide much-needed variety to the bowling attack. The left-arm pacers have traditionally tasted success in the format so the SRH team management might be inclined to opt for him.

Khaleel has an ability to bowl slower balls which can help him keep the batsmen under check in the death overs. His experience of International cricket with the Indian team might help him against the RR batting line up packed with superstars.

While Sandeep is a very good bowler with the new ball, SRH might opt for versatility instead of speciality.

#3. Varun Aaron for Jaydev Unadkat

Jayadev Unadkat

Rajasthan Royals had spent a fortune for signing Jaydev Unadkat in IPL Auction in 2018. He was the most expensive Indian cricketer in the auction as RR had to spend 11.5 crores to buy him. Then, after a poor campaign in 2018, the Jaipur based franchise decided to release him.

The franchise decided to buy him again in IPL 2019 auctions for a slightly lesser price than 2018. however, it was still high. There were a lot of expectations from him coming into the tournament but the left arm pacer failed to deliver in the first match.

He conceded 44 runs in three overs as he failed to complete his quota of three overs. The RR team management has placed a lot of trust on him but they might go for someone else in the second match. It won't be a surprise if Unadkat is replaced by someone like Varun Aaron against SRH.