Indian Premier League 2019 Match 38, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Andre Russell had snatched a win for Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening match in IPL 2019 from Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens. When the sides take field again at Uppal, Hyderabad for Match 38, Sunrisers will definitely want to avenge that.

In their last match, Hyderabad became only the second team (after Mumbai Indians) to beat Chennai Super Kings. However, as has been the case throughout the tournament, their bowlers did well, and there was a mini-collapse after their openers – David Warner and Jonny Bairstow – had put up a big partnership. They really need to sort that middle order out.

Kolkata, on the other hand, have lost four matches in a row. Their spin trio of Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, and Piyush Chawla, has never really got going, while barring Nitish Rana, their top order has been inconsistent.

They have had to rely on Russell – more than they would have liked to – throughout the tournament. Russell has struck at 220, has hit 37 sixes, and is also their leading wicket-taker. He will be eyeing yet another solo show.

Head to head

Kolkata hold a 10-6 advantage over Hyderabad in the IPL. Warner (85 in 53 balls), Bairstow (39 in 35), and Vijay Shankar (40* in 24) had taken Hyderabad to 181/3 when they had clashed in the second match of the tournament.

Despite Rana’s 47-ball 68, Kolkata needed 64 in 27 balls at one point before Russell (49* in 19) saw them to a win with 2 balls to spare.

Key players

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Warner’s strike rate of 145 is not among the highest in the tournament, but he is 63 clear of anyone else in the tournament in aggregate. It seems he is on course for his third Orange Cap in IPL history.

Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders): So consistent has been Russell that it is difficult to choose one onslaught over others. Not only does he strike at 220, he also somehow refuses to get out, which is responsible for his stunning average of 75. He also takes a wicket every 14.5 balls.

Likely XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Yusuf Pathan, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Khaleel Ahmed.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Harry Gurney, Prasidh Krishna.

Prediction

Hyderabad to avenge their tournament opener.