Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 40: RR vs SRH Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | RR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

Kolkata Knight Riders’ heavy defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore yesterday would have put smiles on the faces of Aussie captains Steve Smith and David Warner, as well as their respective franchises as a whole.

Should Rajasthan Royals win today, they will move into fourth place, courtesy of KKR’s poor net run rate. Last time out, RR cruised to victory against an inept CSK, and will be looking to build on the positives as the business end of the season is upon us. 11 days ago, Riyan Parag and Rahul Tewatia led the Royals to an incredible win against today’s opponents, and this certainly has the makings of a close match. Can the Royals hold their nerve better than they have in recent times?

Sunrisers Hyderabad have lost six out of nine games so far in IPL 2020, but still have a positive net run rate (0.008). This could be crucial given how tight the race for fourth spot is, but to get to that position, SRH will have to improve on their performances. Largely inconsistent in 2020, SRH’s top order has often played within themselves due to the inexperienced middle-lower order. Now, with Kane Williamson in doubt due to injury, SRH will have to dig deep with both bat and ball to keep their playoff hopes well and truly alive.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• David Warner has had his problems vs Jofra Archer in recent games (five dismissals in last seven games since start of ENG vs AUS T20I series). So, Warner could look to bat in the middle order as he did last game vs KKR, where he scored 47* (33), as Archer has taken at least one wicket in seven of his last eight games.
• If Warner opens, he should still back himself as he got through the powerplay period 11 days ago vs RR (48 off 38 balls). His overall record vs RR is not as strong as other teams, but is still solid: 7 inns, 237 runs, avg. 33.86, SR 130.94.
• Jonny Bairstow has made his three starts in a row (16, 23, 36) since his 97 vs KXIP a few weeks ago. Is this the day where he fires?
• Sanju Samson has hit just 77 runs in his last eight innings after a blistering start to IPL 2020. But, today is the day where he can return to form, as he plays his favourite franchise (SRH): 15 matches, 449 runs, avg. 40.81.
• Steve Smith had his own lean run of form, but has returned to some form in his last two games: 57 (36), 26* (34). Can he improve on his career record of 130 runs in 5 innings vs SRH at an average of 26?
• Last game, Jos Buttler overcame his issue of batting in the middle order in IPL, smashing 70* (48) vs CSK. However, he has not had a good time vs SRH (7 inns, 64 runs, avg. 9.14). Is this the day he turns this record around?
• If Kane Williamson (148 runs for SRH vs RR, avg. 49.33) is out with injury, plenty will rest on Manish Pandey. Pandey hit 54 (44) against RR earlier in IPL 2020, and has two half-centuries in five innings for SRH vs RR.
• Riyan Parag (42* off 26 balls) and Rahul Tewatia (45* off 28 balls) were the stars for RR against SRH 11 days ago. Tewatia is enjoying a great tournament with the bat (222 runs, avg. 44.40, SR 145.09) and will have a role to play with his spin on what could be a slow track.
• Rashid Khan took 2/25 vs RR earlier this season. He has six wickets in five matches against them overall, and will be key today.
• Karthik Tyagi has taken one wicket in each of his six IPL games so far this season.
• Shreyas Gopal is coming off 1/14 (4) vs CSK, and has five wickets in four games vs SRH. Can he influence this game as his ability suggests he can?
• T Natarajan has taken 11 wickets in nine matches in IPL 2020, and has quickly become a key part of the SRH attack.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 12, RR 6, SRH 6.
• Rajasthan Royals won a thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Dubai 11 days ago, pulling off a remarkable chase.
• Ben Stokes averages just 15 in six innings vs SRH. However, he has been working to find his best form in recent games, but has consistently dismissed after making a start (41, 19, 15). Big game for him.
• Robin Uthappa has 490 runs in 17 innings vs SRH (avg. 28.82). He smashed 41 (22) two games ago vs RCB, before a low score vs CSK. Can he make a strong score today in his comfortable position of opener?
• SRH have lost all four games they have been required to chase in IPL 2020.
• Jofra Archer has the best economy rate in the powerplay and middle overs combined (4.66), followed by Rashid Khan (5.35).
• Rajasthan have lost 30 wickets in the powerplay overs this season – the most of any team. So, SRH could look at bringing Khaleel Ahmed in – a proven IPL wicket-taker.

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Possible Playing 11

Rajasthan Royals won their last match, so they could stick with a winning combination.

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Ben Stokes, 2. Robin Uthappa, 3. Sanju Samson (wk), 4. Steven Smith (capt), 5 Jos Buttler, 6 Rahul Tewatia, 7 Riyan Parag, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Shreyas Gopal, 10 Ankit Rajpoot/Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Kartik Tyagi

Kane Williamson picked up an injury vs KKR, which prompted SRH to open the innings with him. While he made a classy 29 off 19 balls, he looked in discomfort. So, SRH could look to bring in Mohammad Nabi or Fabian Allen as a replacement. With the greater number of right-handers in the RR lineup, Allen could be the choice with his left-arm spin (T20 economy rate 7.43) and hard-hitting batting (T20 strike rate 164.89).

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

Dubai Pitch and Weather Report

The weather has cooled down in UAE over the course of IPL 2020, which has seen an increase in dew. So, the captain who wins the toss could choose to chase, especially given that the chasing team has won the last three games at Dubai. However, SRH have not won a game when chasing this season (four losses).

Dream11 Prediction

Also read: How to create multiple teams in Dream11 and its benefit

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Much could depend on how well the respective top order of each team fares in this one. The team that sets the better platform could go on to win this match. Also, if RR bat first, they will be favourites to win given SRH’s chasing teams.

Thanks for reading!