The Sunrisers Hyderabad will face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in game 25 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Friday. After a poor start to their campaign this season, Rajasthan have recovered well, registering eight-wicket wins in their last two games. In their previous match against the Gujarat Titans (GT), they were completely dominant over the opponents. KKR are presently in the second position in the points table with three wins and two defeats. In their previous match, though, they went down to the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 44 runs. Here are five player battles to watch in the SRH vs KKR match.
1. Abhishek Sharma vs Umesh Yadav: Young SRH opener Abhishek Sharma has been in excellent form for the franchise in the last couple of games. He has played a big role in both of the team’s wins in IPL 2022 so far. The 21-year-old left-hander smashed 75 off 50 against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and followed it up with a fluent 42 against Gujarat. The youngster will be keen to carry on his impressive run against KKR as well. At the start of the innings, Abhishek will face a tough challenge from in-form pacer Umesh Yadav. The speedster has had a wonderful tournament so far. It was only in the last match that he took a bit of a tap. Yadav will be keen to knock over Abhishek early.
2. Shreyas Iyer vs Umran Malik: KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer scored a fine half-century against Delhi. Though the knock came in a losing cause, it was the kind of innings he needed to bring his IPL 2022 campaign back on track after a few poor dismissals. When in form, Iyer proves too good for the best attacks in the world. He will look to attack young Umran Malik as the pacer is likely to bowl when he is out in the middle. Following last year’s performance, hopes are higher from Malik this season. He has been up there with pace, but his economy has been an issue. Iyer might look to go after the youngster and unsettle him.
3. Kane Williamson vs Pat Cummins: One is a star with the bat, and the other is a star with the ball (sometimes bat as well). Both Kane Williamson and Pat Cummins are proven performers in world cricket. So when they take on each other, no inch is given or taken. Williamson hit form after a poor start with a well-compiled half-century in the last game. He will be keen to carry on and build on the same now. Cummins has had a mixed time with the ball. There have been a few good performances, but he has been taken for quite a few as well. Against SRH, his battle with Williamson could be one that could change the fortunes of either side.
4. Nicholas Pooran vs Sunil Narine: The battle of West Indians in the IPL. Nicholas Pooran has not found his groove yet in the tournament. However, in the last match, he showed glimpses of form, hammering an unbeaten 34 off 18. However, there was no pressure on SRH as the match was well within the team’s grasp. He will need to perform when the pressure is on. Against Sunil Narine, Pooran will have a tough task. The spin wizard has been in full flow and will have the upper hand against his Windies teammate.
5. Andre Russell vs T Natarajan: The death overs battle in the KKR vs SRH clash is likely to be between Andre Russell and T Natarajan. If Russell manages to get under the ball in the end overs, he will whack it for sure. He has shown some good hitting form as well this season. Natarajan has been impressive, looking like the bowler of old after having recovered from injury. His yorkers are coming out well. Can he knock over Dre Russ with one?