"This is one thing that SRH can do in Qualifier 1" - Wasim Jaffer previews KKR vs SRH IPL 2024 match

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer wants Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to make one significant change against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their upcoming IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday (May 21). Jaffer wants Pat Cummins and Co. to strengthen their bowling unit by adding a fast bowler.

The reaction came a day after Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed leaked 54 and 13 runs in three and one over, respectively, against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their last league game. It helped Punjab post 214 in their allotted 20 overs.

On Monday (May 20), Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo:

"I feel Sunrisers [Hyderabad] will have to add a fast bowler to their bowling lineup. In their previous, Shahbaz Ahmed and Nitish Reddy proved expensive. Sanvir is not being used a lot as a batter."

The cricketer-turned-commentator continued:

"So, I think they should find a place for [Jaydev] Unadkat. The pitch will be good (to bat), you need bowling options. This is one thing that SRH can do in Qualifier 1."

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"Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be slightly rusty" - Wasim Jaffer warns KKR ahead of IPL 2024 Qualifier 1

Wasim Jaffer further warned that lack of game time could trouble KKR's opening batter and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The Afghanistan international will replace in-form Phil Salt, who amassed 435 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 182.01, including four half-centuries, in IPL 2024.

On this, Jaffer said:

"Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be slightly rusty. He will miss game time. A couple of innings would’ve been better for Gurbaz before the playoffs. He has not played for a long time and will replace in-form Phil Salt as wicketkeeper-batter and opener. The Knight Riders’ batters have also not played for nearly 10 days."

Gurbaz is a like-to-like replacement for Salt. He was supposed to play the last two league games against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals but those matches were abandoned due to rain. The right-hander scored 227 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 133.53, including two 50s, in the last IPL season.