IPL 2018 SRH vs KKR: 5 player battles to look forward to between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders
This year’s IPL is so open that even after winning seven games in the league stage, the Kolkata Knight Riders would not be sure of a place in the playoffs if they lose tonight’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The KKR may have won their last game but tonight, they come up against the table-toppers SRH, who would want to get back to winning ways after losing the last two games.
If the KKR lose this game, then they will have to hope for results (and run rates) to go their way in other games and hence, it is a game that they will go all out to win. Although SRH are guaranteed of a top two place, they would not want to go into a rut ahead of the playoffs and that is why there is no doubt that they will go into this game at home with the sole target of winning the game. Needless to say, the result of the game will depend on some of the individual battles that will take place tonight and here is a look at five of the most important ones.
#5 Alex Hales v Sunil Narine
The Englishman has not been in pristine form in this season’s IPL but in his previous game, Alex Hales was looking good before a superhuman catch from AB de Villiers brought about his demise. Despite his mediocre form, his contributions at the top of the order are vital for SRH and tonight he would definitely like to put on a show for his home fans. When he gets going, the Englishman can be one of the world’s most destructive batsmen and KKR would need to be on their guard.
The man who could be the antidote to the threat posed by the SRH openers is Sunil Narine. Despite his obvious talents as a player, Hales is not as proficient against spin and KKR’s star spinner is difficult to face for batsmen who are actually good players of spin. There is every chance that he would be asked to bowl to Hales in the Powerplays and this particular battle could have a big impact on the game. If Hales can go after him, then KKR’s bowling attack would receive a massive blow.