SRH Predicted Playing 11 vs KKR for Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024

The SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) will lock horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 1 of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21. The Orange Army capitalized on a washout between KKR and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to book their place in the top two at the end of the league stage.

The SunRisers have been in decent form lately, but it's arguable that their side doesn't have the ideal balance. They look a bit thin in the batting department and might also need to make a few changes to the bowling, depending upon the conditions on offer in Ahmedabad.

SRH's squad for IPL 2024: Aiden Markram, Abdul Samad, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Phillips, Heinrich Klaasen, Mayank Agarwal, Anmolpreet Singh, Upendra Yadav, Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abhishek Sharma, Marco Jansen, Washington Sundar, Sanvir Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik, T Natarajan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Travis Head, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Pat Cummins (c), Jaydev Unadkat, Akash Singh, Jhathavedh Subramanyan.

On that note, here is SRH's predicted playing XII (including one impact sub) for Match 66 of IPL 2024 against GT.

---

Openers: Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma

SRH's openers have been incredibly destructive in IPL 2024, and they will look to implement the same approach against Mitchell Starc and Co. Travis Head is on the back of a first-ball duck, but he loves playing at Ahmedabad. Abhishek Sharma, meanwhile, has managed three half-centuries in IPL 2024, of which two have been scored in back-to-back games recently.

---

Middle Order: Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Glenn Phillips, Sanvir Singh

Hyderabad added Rahul Tripathi to the mix in their last game, and the No. 3 batter delivered by playing an important cameo. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen will round off the top five.

SRH are yet to give Glenn Phillips a game in IPL 2024. With Shahbaz Ahmed consistently underperforming in both departments and KKR having plenty of left-handers in their side, the left-arm spinner might finally be dropped.

Phillips could add weight to the middle order while also contributing with his handy off-spin and electric fielding. However, it remains to be seen if Hyderabad are willing to make a big change in a crucial game.

Abdul Samad and Sanvir Singh have chipped in here and there. They will be part of the lower-middle order.

---

Lower Order: Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Mayank Markande

SRH would love to have Jaydev Unadkat in their ranks at Ahmedabad, which has long square boundaries and a conducive wicket. While they could try to sneak the left-arm pacer in as an impact player if they don't need an additional batter, they might not pick him while bowling first.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is one to watch out for in the future, but his length control left a lot to be desired in the last game. An overseas slot might be better off used elsewhere (namely Phillips), opening up a window of opportunity for Mayank Markande to return.

SRH might even decide to play Unadkat ahead of Markande, with the prospect of dew weighing heavily on both teams' minds.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan and Pat Cummins will make up the pace attack.

---

SRH's predicted playing XII (inc. impact sub): Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Glenn Phillips, Abdul Samad, Sanvir Singh, Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Mayank Markande.

Other impact sub candidates: Jaydev Unadkat, Umran Malik, Mayank Agarwal, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed.