IPL match preview: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders
The Sunrisers Hyderabad remain in pursuit of a second Indian Premier League title, while the Kolkata Knight Riders want a third.
The Sunrisers will go into this match on the back of victory over the Delhi Capitals. That result snapped a three-match losing streak for Hyderabad. They will have the advantage of playing at home this time.
Hyderabad will want more from their overseas duo in the middle order. South African Aiden Markram and England star Harry Brook managed just eight runs between them against the Capitals. Brook, remember, has already scored a century this IPL season.
The Knight Riders have lost four of their last five matches. They will really struggle to qualify for the play-off stage of the 2023 IPL from here on in. A win against the Sunrisers, though, will at least keep them in contention.
Kolkata need to find the form that brought them victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore last week. Varun Chakravarthy, Jason Roy and Nitish Rana were key for KKR then and could be here as well. Rana is admittedly still finding his feet as Knight Riders captain.
Kolkata and Hyderabad have all but taken it in turns to beat each other in their last five meetings. KKR have three wins and SRH two.
Abhishek Sharma is a big asset at the top of the Hyderabad batting order. He hit 67 in the win over the Capitals and could find conditions conducive to his approach again.
Rinku Singh has put in some impressive cameos with the bat for KKR this season. They will likely need the same from him if SRH are to be beaten.
The Sunrisers are looking in stronger shape than Kolkata for this one. There is a solid balance to their XI, across the batting and bowling departments. KKR's attempt to stay in the running for the play-offs will probably take another hit.
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