The State of Play
Sunrisers Hyderabad came crashing back down to earth against the Gujarat Titans last time out and will be hoping to regain their batting mojo in IPL 2024 when they face the Chennai Super Kings tomorrow.
Having made an IPL-record 277 against the Mumbai Indians in match eight, they could only manage 162 in a seven-wicket defeat to the Titans on Sunday.
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Sunrisers’ big-hitters failed to fire with Abhishek Sharma and Abdul Samad top-scoring with just 29 as they slipped to their second defeat in three outings.
The likes of Travis Head, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen will hope to do better against a Super Kings line-up that will be without the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Mustafizur Rahman.
Mustafizur has returned to Bangladesh to sort out a visa issue ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States and won’t be available for the clash in Hyderabad.
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The left-arm seamer has taken seven wickets in three games so far at an average of 15.14.
His absence could pave the way for Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana to return although England all-rounder Moeen Ali is another option for the visitors.
The Super Kings, the defending champions, have won two of their opening three matches but suffered defeat last time out, going down by 20 runs to the Delhi Capitals.
The one bright note on an otherwise disappointing evening was a brilliant 16-ball 37 from former captain MS Dhoni.
Last time out at Uppal…🤗🧡 pic.twitter.com/q1HgScejra
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 4, 2024
Expected line-ups
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Head, Agarwal, Sharma, Markram, Klaasen (wk), Ahmed, Samad, Cummins (c), Kumar, Markande, Unadkat
Chennai Super Kings: Gaikwad (c), Ravindra, Rahane, Mitchell, Dube, Rizvi, Jadeja, Dhoni (wk), Theekshana, Chahar, Deshpande
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live.
Friday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm GMT. Coverage on Sky Sports Main Event starts at 3pm.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Some Kaaram v Hyderabad! 🌶️🥳#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/mIs84e4k4s
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 4, 2024
Prediction
The pitch in Hyderabad is not traditionally regarded as one that throws up run-fests so it may come down to the line-up that can eke the most out of the surface.
In that regard, the lower-order power of the Super Kings could prove decisive. Ravindra Jadeja is dangerous while Dhoni rolled back the years last time out with a special, crowd-pleasing knock.
We’re going with the defending champions to make it three wins from four.
