IPL 2018: KKR vs SRH, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) today's probable playing 11 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) sit pretty at the top of the IPL 2018 standings with two wins out of two, ahead of Chennai Super Kings with a better net run rate and they will be hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens in the second match on Saturday.
While Kane Williamson's side dominated in all three departments of the game in their opening win against Rajasthan Royals, they had to sweat it out against reigning champions Mumbai Indians, sealing a thrilling win off the final ball of the match with one wicket in hand.
Bowling has been the standout for SRH with Afghanistan's Rashid Khan leading an attack which has plenty of variety and aggression in their ranks. Shikhar Dhawan looks in good touch with the bat and SRH will be hoping to continue their winning start to the campaign with yet another all-round performance tonight.
Let's take a look at their predicted playing XI for tonight's match.
Openers:
Shikhar Dhawan has taken the onus upon himself to give his side a good start with David Warner missing for SRH, and he has delivered in the opening two matches of IPL 2018.
He remained unbeaten on 77 when SRH cruised to a comfortable nine-wicket win over RR and was at his aggressive best against MI, scoring 45 runs off just 28 balls.
He looks in ominous form at the moment and SRH will be banking on the Indian opener for yet another solid knock up front
Wriddhiman Saha has been the designated opener for SRH in Warner's absence and the 33-year-old has shown that he can fulfil the role for the side.
He may not have got a big score under his belt, but the 62-run opening partnership along with Dhawan against Mumbai showed glimpses of what the duo could achieve together.
Middle-order
Kane Williamson's aggressive captaincy has been brilliant to watch and though he missed out with the bat against Mumbai, the Kiwi showed against Royals that he can be the ideal foil for the hard-hitting batsman in the side as someone who can carry his bat through the innings.
Manish Pandey will be playing in his preferred No 4 spot for SRH this season - if he nails down the spot for himself that is - and the 28-year-old will be hoping to make amends after missing out against Mumbai with a score of 11.
Deepak Hooda was the hero with the bat when SRH got that thrilling one-wicket win over Mumbai and having made a brilliant start to the 2018 IPL season, the 22-year-old will be hoping to work on his consistency and secure a regular spot in the playing XI for Kane Williamson's side.
All-rounders
Shakib-al-Hasan will be facing off against his previous side on Saturday with a point to prove. Along with Rashid Khan, Shakib has been terrific with the ball for SRH, while he has plenty to offer with the bat as well.
Yusuf Pathan is yet another former KKR player in the SRH line-up who will be keen to show his former employees that they made a bad decision by letting him go.
SRH's excellent bowling display from its frontline bowlers has meant that Pathan is yet to bowl in IPL 2018 while he did play a crucial knock of 14 against Mumbai with the bat.
Spinner
Rashid Khan has stayed true to his billing as the World's premier T20 bowler with two terrific performances against Royals and Mumbai in SRH's opening two matches.
He played a Man-of-the-Match winning role in the thrilling one-wicket win over the reigning champions and will be hoping for more of the same against KKR as well.
Fast-bowlers
Sandeep Sharma was a surprise inclusion in the SRH line-up against MI ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar but he repaid the faith with an excellent bowling performance picking up two wickets conceding just 25 runs. However, now that Bhuvi has seemingly regained fitness, he looks set to replace Sharma in the side.
Siddarth Kaul has been the standout among the fast-bowlers for SRH with his express pace and accuracy proving a handful for the opposition batsmen. He has used the short ball to good effect this season and has mixed up his line and length pretty well.
Billy Stanlake may have been expensive with the ball against Mumbai but he made amends by scoring the match-winning runs and looks set to retain his place in the side. Along with Kaul, Stanlake's pace has been a worry for the opposition batsmen and Williamson will be aiming to unleash the duo against KKR on Saturday.
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