IPL 2018: Match 4 - SRH vs RR: Teams with new captains look for a winning start

Warner and Smith respectively is unavailable for their franchise this season.

Both teams will be led by new captains.

By midnight today, all four teams would have played their first games in the eleventh season of IPL 2018. All three games have been closely contested so far and hopefully, the fourth one tonight between SRH and RR lives up to the expectations. 

These two teams will be missing the Aussie captains who has been synonymous with the success of the franchise. David Warner is the highest run-getter for SRH and Steve Smith for RR is an immense value addition to the teams. Both teams will be missing their captains in this new season. 

RR under Ajinkya Rahane is a team of specialists. With Rahane shouldering responsibilities at the top, there is Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes to handle the pressure in the middle order. Either of D'Arcy Short or Rahul Tripathi will partner Rahane at the top. 

Their bowling attack also looks to have the potential with the wonder boy Jofra Archer joining them. Also, they have Jaydev Unadkat, the highest bidded Indian player this season with Dhawal Kulkarni and Shreyas Gopal forming the expected bowling line up for tonight's game. 

SRH, on the other hand, will miss the presence of Warner at the top. However, Shikhar Dhawan, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan. Shakib Al Hasan, the former KKR man is their key all-rounder in the squad and is expected to play in tonight's contest. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the purple cap winner of last year will shoulder the bowling responsibilities along with Rashid Khan, who is their prized possession. 


According to reports however, Alex Hales who has joined the franchise as Warner's replacement had a hit out at the nets. With the SRH squad well balanced with plenty of options it will be interesting to see what XI do the name for the game. 

As far as the weather is concerned, a humid day in Hyderabad with the temperature rising to 35 degrees is expected with showers forecast for the afternoon. The only challenge would be to get the outfield conditions in order for the teams to take the field, provided rain stays away leading into Monday. 

Toss : Sunrisers Hyderabad have won the toss and have opted to field

Playing XI 

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson(c), Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, Siddarth Kaul

Rajasthan Royals  Ajinkya Rahane(c), D Arcy Short, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Jos Buttler(w), Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 09 Apr, 2018

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