Kolkata: Even though he is not the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) anymore, there will be intense focus on Australian David Warner as he returns to the IPL once more after one-year ban for ball-tampering. The left-handed batsman will be raring to go, more so because regular captain Kane Williamson is doubtful for the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) starting a little while from now at the Eden Gardens here.
Warner though will not lead the side, and if Williamson doesn’t play vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar will take charge. However, Warner, who led to SRH to their only title triumph in 2017, will have plenty to contribute on the field as he has had the experience of leading in this format of the game.
The last time these two sides met was in the second ‘Qualifier’ of the 2018 IPL. SRH had the last laugh then and Dinesh Karthik’s men will certainly have a point to prove when these two sides clash again Sunday. The KKR skipper has an astounding strike rate against death bowling (173.60) since 2015, but then against left-arm pace bowling between the 16th to 20th overs his rate dips to only 18.00. SRH will do good to keep this aspect in mind.
The match will also be an individual battle of spinners – between the unbridled genius of Rashid Khan (SRH) and Kuldip Yadav (KKR). The two can be match-winners on their respective days.
Agencies
