CHENNAI: It’s do-or-die time. After a roller-coaster two months, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad will clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday night for a spot in the IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders.
With CSK exiting at the league stage, the usual frenzy for tickets isn’t as intense, but fans are still expected to turn up. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have a solid following in the city due to the southern India connection, while Chennai boy Ravichandran Ashwin’s presence in the Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad will likely attract local support for the 2008 champions.
One of the most thrilling matches of this IPL season was played between these two sides on May 2, when SRH clinched a victory by one run, triggering a three-week winless streak for RR. This streak was finally broken in Ahmedabad on Wednesday with a morale-boosting win against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The question now is whether Sanju Samson’s side can build on this momentum as SRH looks to regroup after their loss to KKR at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Key Factors in the Battle:
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma Duo:
The Travis Head-Abhishek Sharma duo has been a revelation this IPL, often dominating the powerplay. However, Head’s recent dismissals for 0, against left-arm swing bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Mitchell Starc, indicate a potential vulnerability. RR’s Kiwi left-armer Trent Boult will be crucial in exploiting this weakness early. If Boult can neutralize Head, RR will have an upper hand, relying on their spinners, Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, to manage the Abhishek threat on a spin-friendly pitch.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin Spin Factor:
RR boasts the best spin attack of this IPL season. Leg-spinner Chahal, a T20 master, has secured a spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup due to his stellar performances. Ashwin, a modern-day great, is adept at troubling left-handers with his drift. His role in the powerplay, combined with Chahal’s middle-over prowess against hitters like Heinrich Klaasen, will be pivotal. The Chahal-Klaasen duel is expected to be a highlight of the match.
SRH’s Fifth-Bowler Issue:
SRH has recently fielded four specialist bowlers, relying on spin and medium-pace all-rounders Shahbaz Ahmed and Nitish Reddy to cover the fifth bowler’s overs. This approach contrasts sharply with RR’s strategy of five top-quality bowlers. It will be interesting to see if SRH sticks to this plan in such a crucial game, especially with the “Impact Sub” rule in play. If they do, RR batters will likely target these four overs to seize control of the game from Pat Cummins’ squad.
This match promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for a place in the IPL 2024 final. The strategies and key battles will determine which side emerges victorious in this high-stakes encounter.
