Bangalore should back the experience of Aaron Finch in a must-win game
Sunrises Hyderabad have proved beyond doubt on what an aggressive mindset can bring about. Staring at the wrong end of the barrel, they picked up their game at the right moment to register three thumping wins and by some distance look the most dangerous side at the moment.
Remember, they made the cut despite losing key players to injuries during the campaign, none bigger than missing the services of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. To make the top-four without a senior Indian bowler is a commendable achievement indeed.
Opener Wriddhiman Saha has been instrumental in the revival. Playing proper cricket, the stumper has taken the fight to the opponents in no small measure. His consistency and strike rate has also allowed David Warner to settle in well rather than look for runs from the word go.
Royal Challengers Bangalore on the other hand could well be mulling a few changes. In my opinion, they should back the experience of Aaron Finch in a must win game and also look at including Moeen Ali. The allrounder not only provides the option in all departments, he definitely takes some pressure of AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli and also negates the effect of Rashid Khan to an extent.
Devdutt Paddikkal has been one young batsman who has caught the eye, yet a lot will depend on the big two in a crunch game. It could well boil down to how Bangalore cope against the sustained accuracy of Hyderabad’s bowling.
The Saha-Warner combination is also a double-edged sword, if it doesn’t click on the big day, the slightly inexperienced top-order will have its work cut out. However, the former champions are riding high on momentum and that could work well in their favour, whereas Kohli and his boys have been searching for answers off late after a wonderful start to the tournament.
This game will be extremely difficult to predict and I am sure it will be a cracker of a contest. Hyderabad might hold a slight edge on current form but we have seen all that get nullified in a matter of few overs. Personally I am really looking forward to this one, may the better team win. (TCM)