SRH vs RR: Head-to-head, playing XI and other interesting stats
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals will open their 2018 IPL campaign today at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Both the two sides have been dealt a major blow after captains David Warner and Steven Smith were ruled out of the IPL for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. So without their big guns, which team holds the edge? We elaborate.
Head-to-head record
The two sides have faced each other 7 times with Hyderabad winning 3 and Royals 4. Interestingly, in all 7 matches, SRH have batted first. In 2017, the team batting first has won 6 of the 8 matches played at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.
Sunrisers have top class players on the roster
Sunrisers have managed to keep their core intact and the squad includes the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rashid Khan, Kane Williamson and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The addition of Manish Pandey and Carlos Brathwaite make them a formidable team despite them losing David Warner. The IPL 9 champions definitely look the better side.
Royals will be hoping to make a winning comeback
Rajasthan are making a comeback after a 2 year hiatus and have managed to retain the likes of Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane. South African Heinrich Klaasen coming in for the suspended Steven Smith also looks like a shrewd decision. However, the Royals lack bench strength and if injuries plague them this season, it would cause big problems.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Probable Playing XI
Alex Hales, Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson (captain), Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Yusuf Pathan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma and Siddarth Kaul.
Rajasthan Royals: Probable Playing XI
Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler , Heinrich Klaasen, K Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Dhawal Kulkarni.
