IPL 2024: SRH, RR set to clash in Qualifier 2
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals will square off in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season Qualifier 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. RR recently beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, SRH lost the Qualifier 1 to Kolkata Knight Riders, who await the winner of Qualifier 2 in the final. Here is the match preview.
Pitch report and other details
Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium will host this duel on May 24 (7:30pm IST). The wickets at this venue have a history of assisting the bowlers, especially spinners. Therefore, scoring in middle overs will be a challenge. The previous encounter here saw CSK chase 142 against Punjab Kings. One can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network and stream it on JioCinema.
Head-to-head record: SRH 10-9 RR
As per ESPNcricinfo, the two sides have met in 19 IPL matches as of now. SRH have a slight edge with 10 wins, while RR own nine wins. Notably, SRH won the only league-stage encounter between the two sides in IPL 2024. RR fell short by a solitary run while chasing 202 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
SRH, RR eye a third appearance in final
SRH have an opportunity to qualify for their third IPL final. They won the title in 2016 before finishing as the 2018 IPL runners-up. Similarly, RR, the inaugural IPL champions, could reach their third final.
SRH Probable XI and impact subs
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Probable XI): Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wicket-keeper), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and T Natarajan. Impact subs: Sanvir Singh, Umran Malik, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, and Jaydev Unadkat.
RR Probable XI and impact subs
Rajasthan Royals (Probable XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson (captain and wicket-keeper), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Impact subs: Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Nandre Burger, Shimron Hetmyer, and Tanush Kotian.
A look at key performers
SRH opener Travis Head has smashed 533 runs from 13 encounters in IPL 2024 so far. Although Head's strike-rate reads 199.62, he is coming off two successive ducks. Meanwhile, His compatriot Abhishek Sharma has been striking at 207.04. RR's Riyan Parag will once again have the spotlight. He owns 521 runs at 52.10 this season. Yuzvendra Chahal could touch the 20-wicket mark.
