Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 26: SRH vs RR Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SRH vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

It seems such a long time ago that Rahul Tewatia was the centre of attention thanks to an incredible five sixes in a row to seal the highest ever run chase in IPL history. It seems such a long time ago that Sanju Samson was belting the CSK and KXIP attacks around Sharjah, with skipper Steve Smith providing very effective support.

Since then, Rajasthan Royals have gone two weeks without a win, and desperately need one now. They welcome back star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has now served his six-day quarantine, after he and his family have shown incredible strength to get to this stage. Stokes’ inclusion gives RR some important balance, but questions remain about their best batting order. Does Robin Uthappa come back in, this time as an opener – a position where he has enjoyed success in IPL cricket? Questions such as these need quick and effective answers as RR’s season is slowly slipping away.

They run into a Sunrisers Hyderabad side that’s finding their feet. The Warner-Bairstow combination was in full flow last time out, with skipper Warner coming off two consecutive half-centuries. Also, the form of Rashid Khan has been simply superb, providing SRH with wicket-taking threat and control in equal measure. So, can SRH, with Kane Williamson also in good touch, continue their push up the table after what was a very underwhelming start to their campaign? They have a good opportunity to do so here.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• David Warner’s record vs RR isn’t as strong as it is against other teams (10 matches, 337 runs, avg. 33.70, SR 125.28). However, he is coming off consecutive half-centuries, which he will be keen to build on.
• Warner’s battle with Jofra Archer could be crucial in this match. The fast bowler dismissed Warner four times in six matches in Australia’s recent tour of England. Will Archer look to go around the wicket right away?
• Also, Archer has been strong in IPL 2020, with eight wickets in six games at an economy rate below seven (6.91).
• Jonny Bairstow’s 97 vs KXIP was a sight to behold. The England batsman now has three half-centuries in six innings in this tournament. Also, in his one innings vs RR so far in IPL (last season), Bairstow hit 45 (28).
• The Royals need Steve Smith to play with a little more control. His desire to slog has not come off in recent games. So, can he build an innings here? The RR skipper has a decent enough record vs SRH to be confident about his chances today (9 matches, 249 runs, avg. 35.37, SR 113.18).
• Kane Williamson has shown his finishing capabilities this tournament (most recently 20* off 10 balls vs KXIP). The New Zealand skipper could be key at the backend again today. Williamson has 126 runs for SRH vs RR at an average of 42.
• Since his brilliant first two games, Sanju Samson has lost his form, with scores of 8, 4, 0 and 5. However, he plays a team whom he has enjoyed success against for RR in the past, with 320 runs at an average of 40 (including one century, which was scored last season).
• Jos Buttler will be crucial for RR. However, RR needs him to improve on an awful record vs SRH: 6 matches, 48 runs, avg. 8.00, SR 92.31, HS 14.
• Can Ben Stokes fire straight away? Interestingly, the brilliant all-rounder hasn’t fully fired in IPL cricket (batting avg. 22.08 in 33 games), so can his superb performances in international cricket since 2019 drive him this time? It will have to be a new lease of life for Stokes, as he has 70 runs in five games vs SRH at an average of just 17.50.
• Rahul Tewatia’s 144 runs in IPL 2020 have come at a strike rate of 150.00.
• Rashid Khan is having a brilliant tournament. He has taken eight wickets in six games in IPL 2020 (including seven in his past four), at an extraordinary economy rate of 4.83. Also, he has four wickets in four games vs RR (econ. 6.75).
• T Natarajan has been one of the underrated performers of IPL 2020. His yorker efficiency gives SRH a great edge at the death, and he has been rewarded with seven wickets in six games this season.
• Shreyas Gopal has five wickets in three games vs SRH.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 11, SRH 6, RR 5. SRH have won four of their past five matches vs RR.
• Rashid Khan to bowl in the powerplay? The star leg-spinner has a magnificent record vs Jos Buttler in IPL since 2018: eight deliveries, four runs conceded, four wickets.
• SRH have lost the least number of powerplay wickets in IPL 2020 (four). In contrast, Rajasthan Royals have lost the most (11).
• Jofra Archer has an economy rate of 6.9 in the powerplay in IPL 2020. This is the best among bowlers who have bowled at least five overs in this period. Indeed, his battle against Warner and Bairstow will be key.
• Robin Uthappa has plenty of experience vs SRH: 16 matches, 472 runs, avg. 29.50, SR 134.47.

Possible Playing 11

Sunrisers Hyderabad could look to stick with the same team that dispatched KXIP last game.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Manish Pandey, 4. Kane Williamson, 5. Priyam Garg, 6. Abdul Samad, 7. Abhishek Sharma, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. T Natarajan, 10. Khaleel Ahmed, 11. Sandeep Sharma/Basil Thampi

Rajasthan Royals welcome back Ben Stokes, who will likely bump AJ Tye out of the side. Also, RR have a decision to make at the top – do they persist with the young Yashasvi Jaiswal or do they finally open with Uthappa?

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Jos Buttler (wk), 2 Robin Uthappa/Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson, 4. Steve Smith (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Mahipal Lomror, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Shreyas Gopal, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Varun Aaron, 11. Kartik Tyagi

Dubai Pitch and Weather Report

This is the first day game at Dubai this season, which will surely test the players. The ground, unlike Sharjah and Abu Dhabi is quite tall and round, which could stop any breeze coming through freely to help comfort the players somewhat.

In terms of the pitch, the Dubai track showed a slightly two-paced nature in the RCB vs CSK game yesterday, but runs are on offer for players willing to bide their time (as the great Virat Kohli showed). Also, teams batting first have totally dominated games at Dubai, with 10 wins out of 11 this tournament. The average first innings score in these matches has been 180.36, so a score in this region will be very tough to chase down.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Team that bats first to win again? Perhaps, but SRH is looking much more settled and in form than RR. SRH start as favourites, particularly if they bat first.

Thanks for reading!