IPL Qualifier 2: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals tips and suggested bets
- James Richardson
- 23 May 2024
The Rajasthan Royals came through a tense eliminator to join Sunrisers Hyderabad in this second IPL qualifier which will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.
These teams come into the match in contrasting moods. The Royals are riding high from their eliminator win while the Sunrisers Hyderabad will feel they have let things slip of late.
The Sunrisers didn't finish well in their first qualifier which cost them dearly and they return to a venue on which they tasted defeat in their last visit.
The Royals made things difficult for themselves but ultimately their quality shone through when it really mattered.
The format might favour the winners of the eliminator but history tells us that things often don't pan out for the team that has to win twice to reach the final.
Sunrisers vs Royals suggested bets
Riyan Parag may have thrown his wicket away late on but he remains the form batter for the Royals and looks most likely to be the man who will top score for the Royals.
The pink team will also be encouraged by the return to form of Shimron Hetmyer and another solid effort up front from Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The Royals bowlers really put them ahead in the contest with brilliant bowling from Yuvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin and Trent Boult.
Avesh Khan was the man who cashed in when it came to taking wickets in the eliminator but look no further than Boult for the Royals bowler likely to top the wicket-takers in this contest.
Boult looks likely to do some real damage with the new ball with his ability to get late movement back into the right-handers.
Travis Head got a first-baller in the first qualifier but he will be determined to bounce back and he has that famous Aussie grit in spades.
Abhishek Sharma has been consistent as well and you'd expect the opening pairing to get the Sunrisers off to a fast start.
The Sunrisers have the stronger opening pair and could very well outdo their opposite numbers in the second qualifier.
Pat Cummins was another of the Sunrisers Australian stars who misfired in the opening loss and another player who rarely has a bad game twice in a row.
Watch out for Cummins to bring the fire and finish as the top wicket-taker for SRH.
Predictions
Riyan Parag to top-score for Rajasthan Royals
Trent Boult to take the first wicket for the Royals
The Sunrisers to have the better opening partnership
Pat Cummins to take the most wickets for SRH
