IPL 2017: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Lions, 5 factors of winning

#4 X-factor

Rashid Khan will be a key bowler for Sunrisers on Sunday

The X-factor for Sunrisers Hyderabad is undoubtedly their little leggie, Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan superstar bowled well in the first game and having settled his nerves, should bring out his best soon. His T20 average of 13 is mind boggling as is his maturity as a leg-spinner at this age.

Rashid could well be the game-changer in this match-up at Hyderabad. Provided he keeps the long hops away, Lions' top order comprising McCullum, Roy, Finch and Dwyane Smith will struggle against him.

Gujarat Lions need to churn out a win somehow and their major hope for that lies in Jason Roy. The England opener looked at ease in the ODIs in India, smashing three half-centuries in three matches and if he can get Gujarat rolling, Sunrisers will need to revert to their Plan B. Roy looked deadly in the BBL and PSL as well and is quickly turning into a reliable T20 player. With four hundreds in the format in his career, Roy is the X-factor for the Lions.