IPL 2020: Match 40, RR v SRH – COC Predicted Playing XIs

RR had beaten SRH in their previous encounter in a tightly fought match.

On October 22, 2020, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will clash in the 40^th match of the IPL 2020, in Dubai, looking to break out of that middle part of the points table. Both teams have 8 points each to their name and will look to move up the ladder towards a final four finish.

RR had beaten SRH by 5 wickets in their previous encounter in Dubai, but things will be different at the venue this time, as pitches have shown indications of slowing up and teams have changed their strategy now.

Team COC presents the Predicted Playing XIs for this important match between RR and SRH.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS (RR)

Rajasthan Royals have been victims of their own faulty plans and too much chopping and changing in the playing XI. They didn’t give a long run to Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top and now have got the bright idea to open with Ben Stokes and play Jos Buttler as the finisher, while he was doing great as an opener.

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Steve Smith’s own form has been a problem, while he has played only a handful of valuable knocks in the tournament, but at an abysmal strike rate. However, the biggest issue for RR has been the sudden decline in form of Sanju Samson. Sanju, who started off well with 74 and 85, has managed just two more scores of above 20 in the next 7 innings.

Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag have been their saving grace in the middle order, while Jofra Archer has done the most damage with the ball. Young Kartik Tyagi has been impressive so far.

A lot was expected from Jaydev Unadkat, who was coming off a very good domestic season, but like the previous two seasons for RR, he failed to impress and was taken for runs by batsmen with ease, with the worse being the 25 runs over against RCB via AB de Villiers.

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD (SRH)

Sunrisers Hyderabad has struggled to find the balance in their team due to them lacking an experienced Indian batsman in the middle order, who could guide the young Priyam Garg and Abhishek Sharma in the death overs.

This and injuries to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mitchell Marsh hurt them badly at the start of the tournament. Now they might also miss the services of Kane Williamson, who hurt his hamstring against KKR in the previous match.

The onus of batting has been on Warner, Bairstow, and Pandey, while Garg, Samad, and Abhishek contributed to the cause. They might look to bring in the experienced Mohammad Nabi in place of Williamson to fill that finisher’s spot and get in Khaleel Ahmed in for Thampi, who was taken apart by KKR batsmen.

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Khaleel has been impressive and has picked wickets, despite going for runs at the same time. T Natarajan has been their pillar of death bowling in absence of Bhuvneshwar and has deserved the praise he is receiving.  

RR COC Predicted Playing XI:

Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Kartik Tyagi

SRH COC Predicted Playing XI:

David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Mohammad Nabi, Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan