IPL match preview: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Lucknow Super Giants

The Sunrisers Hyderabad are still trying to lift themselves from second-last position in the 10-team standings, while the Lucknow Super Giants could push into the four positions for play-off contention.

Hyderabad will go into this match on the back of an inspiring win over the Rajasthan Royals, but they need to capitalise on this against the Super Giants. The Sunrisers will have home advantage, which could help their bid to claim a rare second successive win.

The Sunrisers could lean on their South African trio for big performances. Marco Jansen has been important with the ball, while Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen have added firepower to the middle order. Markram continues to find his feet as SRH captain.

The Super Giants have just one win to show for their last five matches. They have lost plenty of momentum and will be hard pressed to outperform the Sunrisers away from home. Lucknow are also missing key batsman KL Rahul due to injury.

The Super Giants and Hyderabad have a brief history. Lucknow have won their only two meetings. The first was in 2022 and the second a month ago.

Proteas opener Quinton de Kock took a while to make it into the Lucknow playing XI this season, but made an immediate impact when he did. He struck 70 against the Gujarat Titans and could be in for a big showing here, too.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is highly experienced and a pivotal member of the SRH bowling attack. He will likely take the new ball and return for the closing overs of the innings. Conditions in Hyderabad should suit his craft.

SRH are looking in relatively good shape to cause an upset and hamper LSG's attempts to get into the top four of the 2023 IPL standings. The Sunrisers will need to be in top form to overcome the Super Giants, though.