RR vs SRH IPL 2019 preview: Hyderabad, Rajasthan pursue play-off dream

For Rajasthan Royals every game they play in IPL 2019 is a virtual eliminator. SRH haven’t arrived to this stage yet but they know they aren’t in a comfortable position either.

Both teams are in desperate search of two points and at the same time are looking to find answers to some of their pressing issues. Thus, expect a intriguing battle on Saturday.

Team news:

The English players will be leaving IPL to prepare for the World Cup and these are two teams who will be affected it by severely.

Rajasthan lose Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer and they are already missing the services of Jos Buttler. For SRH, Jonny Bairstow who was sensational at the top of the order will leave as well.

We’ll miss you, @jbairstow21
What a player, amazing understanding of the game and hitting. A lovely fellow to have in the team. Have a good World Cup! #srh #orangearmy pic.twitter.com/0EdlZm2IK3

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) April 26, 2019

Form guide:

Manish Pandey’s runs in the other game have offered a sigh of relief for SRH but now they have one more worry- replacing Bairstow. The bowling department has a few cracks which need to be sorted out asap.

Riyan Parag has offered a new dimension to RR’s batting and Ajinkya Rahane is doing well as an opener. But the team needs more muscle in the middle order and the same can be said about their bowling department.

Key Numbers:

• In 10 matches played between the two teams, SRH has won six while RR have won only four.

• SRH have been dominant especially in the recent times. They have won four of the last five matches.

Players in focus:

An average of 71.75 and a stunning strike rate of 146.05 reflect David Warner’s heroics in IPL 2019. He is also the leading run-scorer with a tally of 574 runs and has been practically impossible with 8 fifty-plus scores in 10 innings.  With Bairstow leaving, SRH have become more reliant on Warner. Can RR find a way to stop him?

The Helicopter shot, knuckle inswinger story ft. Aaron & Riyan@VarunAaron and Riyan Parag talk about some quirky additions to their own game that helped @rajasthanroyals to a last over win in Kolkata! By @28anand. #KKRvRR

WATCH the video ???? – https://t.co/CSykvWdEPN pic.twitter.com/X3lZiZHMhn

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 26, 2019

An average of 27.50 may not indicate the value of Riyan Parag for RR however the middle order batsman has already played two high-quality and match-winning innings for Rajasthan in this season. His form becomes even more crucial for RR as their overseas stars return for national duties.