IPL 2018, playoffs, SRH vs CSK: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) predicted XI against Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
After dominating for a major part of the season, the Sunrisers Hyderabad floundered and tripped in the final week, but did enough to secure a berth in the playoffs.
They will take on the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier at Mumbai and while they will get another bite at the cherry if they slip up again, a win will secure their qualification for the finals.
We take a look at how Kane Williamson's men might line up for the match at the Wankhede Stadium.
Alex Hales: The English opener has provided the initial impetus to the innings. However, he has not been in the best of form of late and was dropped in the previous match. The SRH management will likely trust him again, primarily because of the venue.
Wankhede Stadium has a flat surface and inviting boundaries and if Hales gets going, he might well win them the match.
Shikhar Dhawan: The southpaw is back to his belligerent best and with all the strokes coming to the fore, he will be one of the main weapons for the former champions. Also, he has the experience to deal with pressure scenarios and SRH would want their main man to stand up.
Kane Williamson: The best batsman for SRH this season, Kane Williamson has been the fulcrum around which the entire batting has functioned. He walks out at number three and controls the innings perfectly. Also, he has added a number of strokes to his arsenal and can press the accelerator without breaking sweat at any point during the game
Manish Pandey: The Karnataka-boy has been struggling to get going this season, but his presence adds more stability to the middle order. He has started getting his strokes away recently and SRH would hope that he hits the ground running against the Chennai Super Kings.
Shakib Al Hasan: The Bangladesh captain adds a lot of balance to the SRH set-up as he contributes to the team's cause with both bat and ball. He has hardly put a foot wrong this season and with experience and temperament on his side, he will once again be the crucial man for Kane Williamson, both with the bat and ball.
Yusuf Pathan: The big-hitting Pathan has been in decent form this season and while he has played few match-winning innings, he has tapered off of late. Time is ripe for him to walk out and stamp his authority all over the game.
Sreevats Goswami: He opened the innings in the previous match and gave a great account of himself, and can be used as the floater in the batting lineup. Also, he has been solid behind the stumps which is an added bonus for Williamson.
Rashid Khan: The X-factor for SRH, young Rashid Khan will have to put his best foot forward at the Wankhede get amongst the wickets if SRH are to topple CSK. He has been picking up wickets this tournament and SRH would hope he breaks the back of an explosive CSK batting order.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has to deliver with the new ball up front when the surface provides some seam movement. Also, with all his experience, he has to deliver the goods at the back end of the innings to restrict CSK.
Sandeep Sharma: Another swing bowler who has been an inspired selection for SRH, Sandeep has been impressive with the new ball with his control and then towards the back end with his accuracy.
Siddarth Kaul: Perhaps the best fast bowler for SRH this season, Kaul has been named in India's limited-overs outfit on the back of his stellar performance this IPL and this should egg him on to press for more success with the team as the business end of the tournament comes rattling along.
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