Indian Premier League 2019 Match 45, Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Rajasthan Royals have more than coped without Jos Buttler, who left to be with his wife for the birth of his son. But with Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer also being summoned by ECB to join the English cricket team midway through IPL 2019, Rajasthan will find things difficult when they take field against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

Mind you, Rajasthan need to win everything from here, and will lose Steven Smith in a few days’ time. It is going to be an uphill task.

Hyderabad will lose Jonny Bairstow as well. While Bairstow is the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, his exodus will mean the return of Kane Williamson – Orange Cap winner in 2018 and captain of the team.

Hyderabad also have Martin Guptill in the flanks, while Mohammad Nabi can be drafted in at any point. And one of Wriddhiman Saha and Shreevats Goswami, who should come in for Yusuf Pathan, can easily replace Bairstow behind the stumps.

Head to head

Hyderabad hold a 6-4 lead over Rajasthan including a 5-wicket win earlier this season, at Uppal.

Sanju Samson (102* in 55) and Ajinkya Rahane (70 in 49) had taken Rajasthan to 198/2 that day despite Rashid Khan’s 4-0-24-1. David Warner (69 in 37) and Bairstow (45 in 28) added 110 in response, in just 58 balls. Shreyas Gopal then took 3/27, but Vijay Shankar’s 15-ball 35 saw Hyderabad home with an over to spare.

Key players

Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals): He is just 17, but Parag has not hesitated to take on the best in business. He kept his calm and played some fearless, innovative shots during two successful chases, against Mumbai Indians (43 in 29 balls) and Kolkata Knight Riders (47 in 31). He is definitely a special talent.

Manish Pandey (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Hyderabad had dropped Pandey following his insipid start to the tournament, but he found form at the right moment, when Hyderabad have lost Bairstow and will lose Warner. His unbeaten 49-ball 83 against Chennai Super Kings in his last match is indication of what Hyderabad are up against.

Likely XIs

Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson (wk), Steven Smith (c), Riyan Parag, Liam Livingstone, Ashton Turner, Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron, Oshane Thomas.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Kane Williamson (c), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Shakib Al Hasan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Deepak Hooda, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma.

Prediction

Rajasthan have clawed back into the competition, but Hyderabad will take field as favourites – more so following the exodus of Rajasthan’s English contingency.