SunriSerS in Search of a lifeline

Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad come into this match with contrasting performances in their previous match. A remarkable half-century on a tricky pitch by Jos Buttler helped RR clinch an emphatic and important win over Chennai Super Kings and revive hopes of making it to the playoffs.

For almost a month, after two early successes, RR had been struggling essentially because overseas stars Steve Smith, Buttler and later Ben Stokes were clicking only intermittently. The exception was Jofra Archer, who had been brilliant throughout.

Against CSK, the sinewy fast bowler was in his elements again, but this time got rich support from Buttler. With Smith offering Buttler solid support, the modest run chase became even easier, and RR were back in the running.

For Sunrisers, Warner like Buttler for RR, batted in the middle order against KKR, but didn’t have quite the same impact. The match went into the Super Over in which Warner was blown away by Lockie Ferguson and SRH succumbed.

This was their third successive defeat, which left Warner and Co languishing near the bottom of the points table ahead of CSK though both teams are tied on points.

After losing their first two matches, SRH had made a recovery of sorts, before the three-defeat slump which has brought them to a situation where it’s do-or-die for a place in the last four.

There are a few issues that have brought things to this pass. Warner and Jonny Bairstow have been unable to put up big opening partnerships, and the middle order hasn’t quite coped with the onus of boosting the score.

With Kane Williamson batting with palpable discomfort against CSK, it remains to be seen whether he will be fit against RR today. In case he misses this match, it could hurt SRH further, as the stylish Kiwi brings stability to their batting.

In the bowling department, Rashid Khan hasn’t quite picked up as many wickets as he and his captain would have liked as opposing teams are prepared to play out his four overs cautiously. Without enough wickets from the main bowler, SRH have struggled.

The first match this season between the two teams was a humdinger with Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag producing a stirring run chase that grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat.

That was when SRH’s problems seemed to start. Winning this match would not only be sweet revenge for the earlier defeat, but also a lifeline to stay alive in the tournament.