Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) missed the golden opportunity to reach the Indian Premier League (IPL) final for the third time after being crushed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
SRH have had a remarkable season under Cummins’ captaincy, finishing in the top two of the standings in the IPL 2024 league stage with 17 points from 14 games, with one match canceled due to rain against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in May. 19.
Everything was going well for the Orange Army, but KKR surpassed Cummins and his Army in all departments in the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 on May 22 with their dominant all-round performance, earning the final ticket with a victory of eight points about the SRH. in Ahmedabad.
SRH to face RR in IPL 2024 Qualifier 2
However, SRH have another chance to reach the final of IPL 2024 by defeating Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, May 24, with the summit clash taking place in the same place on Sunday, May 26.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 between SRH and RR, Indian batsman Hanuma Vihari made crucial suggestions for the Orange Army to beat the Royals in the match and set the final date with KKR.
Cummins and the SRH team management overlooked Aiden Markram and Mayank Markande during the crucial game, and that played a major role in their massive defeat against KKR, preventing them from reaching the finals.
During the match, cricket experts also expressed their opinion that SRH should have gone for Mayank Markande as their bowling attack looked disoriented against the KKR batsmen in Ahmedabad.
Hanuma Vihari calls for inclusion of Aiden Markram and Mayank Markande in SRH vs RR Qualifier 2
Well, ahead of the SRH vs RR Qualifier 2 in Chennai, Hanuma called for the inclusion of Markram and Markande in the Hyderabad XI for this important clash at the Chepauk Stadium, which often assists the spinners, against RR on Friday.
Young leg-spinner Markande can prove useful for SRH in Chennai, and while Makram is a fluid stroke-maker and can play spin effectively with good technique, RR’s bowling arsenal is adorned with a few of dangerous spinners.
Vihari believes SRH needs Markram, who can anchor the innings, and has the advantage of spin bowling at the Chepauk Stadium, even though the Royals only have left-hander Shimron Hetmyer in their lineup. There is a good chance that SRH will face Markram at number 4 against RR as Glenn Phillips has not played a single game so far this season.
Hanuma Vihari wrote on X: “Markram should play tonight. The Chennai field needs a stable player. Markram and Mayank Markande should play.”
Markram should play tonight. The Chennai field needs a stable player.
Markram and Mayank markande should play.
– Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) May 24, 2024
SRH spinners have recorded the lowest average (54.38) and economy rate (11.20) among all the teams in IPL 2024. Furthermore, their economy rate during the middle overs (7-16) is 9 .98, the highest among all teams this season. . So, it remains to be seen if SRH picks Markane or goes with Jaydev Unadkat for this important clash against RR.
