IPL match preview: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have a new captain in South African Aiden Markram, who led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title earlier this year. Markram won't be available for this match, though, so Bhuneshwar Kumar will lead the team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Hyderabad could be hard pressed against a strong Rajasthan Royals bowling attack. The Royals have last IPL season's leading wicket-taker in Yuzvendra Chahal. He could exploit the conditions on offer in Hyderabad particularly well.
Sanju Sansom, in combination with Jos Buttler, could be hugely successful for the Royals. But they cannot have an overreliance on the duo. Rahul Tripathi probably needs to step up more consistently this time.
Joe Root is with the Royals, too. This is his first time in the Indian Premier League. He could face stiff competition from West Indian Shimron Hetmyer and South Africa's Donovan Ferreira for one of the team's four overseas-player berths in the XI.
The Royals have one more win than Hyderabad in the last five meetings. Neither team has managed two wins in a row in those last five. Last time out, in 2022, Rajasthan were comfortable winners on the back of big knocks from Sansom and Hetmyer.
The Royals have one of the fastest bowlers in the tournament in Umran Malik. He can be erratic at times, but can be lethal when on point. He might share the new ball with Thangarasu Natarajan, if Rajasthan opt for a left- and right-arm combination.
All eyes on Harry Brook, as he embarks on what could be a lengthy IPL career. He has taken to international cricket, especially Test competition, remarkably well. SRH paid top dollar for him and can demand prompt return on investment.
This is one of the tougher results to call, but the Rajasthan Royals should come out on top here. Buttler will have a big part to play. The Royals should overpower a Sunrisers outfit navigating new leadership and fresh, perhaps unsettled, recruits.