IPL 2023, SRH vs KKR: Predicted Playing XIs & Impact Player Substitutes

Arnav Chopra

image-lh83ny7dSunil Narine and Harry Brook (Source: AP Newsroom)

The two teams placed eighth and ninth on the table Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) will go head-to-head at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. With six points each, both these sides would want to climb up on the table that is getting suffocating in the middle.

Losing this game would mean that the team would lack behind and recovering would be extremely tough from now onwards.

Therefore, let's have a look at the playing XI of both teams likely to take the field for this clash on Thursday:

SunRisers Hyderabad

image-lh83y81yHarry Brook and Aiden Markram (Source: AP Newsroom)

Openers

Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma

Mayank has been doing a fair job until now but has been rather inconsistent where he has only scored 169 runs in eight matches. Along with him, there would be no change in his opening partner Abhishek Sharma who has done decently to put up 139 runs in six matches.

Middle Order

Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Harry Brook, Abdul Samad

Rahul Tripathi is the highest run-scorer for the side until now but again like his side hasn't been consistent and free-flowing. Rahul's form is a major detrimental factor for SRH's success and he needs to step up now.

Skipper Aiden Markram is turning out to be a disappointment with the bat as he has managed just 132 runs across seven matches with one half-century to his name. But his countryman Heinrich Klaasen's strike rate is batting at a strike rate which is over 180 accumulating 153 runs at an average of 51.

Englishmen Harry Brook thumped a century last time he faced KKR but apart from that he has been poor. Although, they have the option of replacing him with Glenn Philips but that looks unlikely.

Abdul Samad played a crucial cameo of 28 in the last game and now, he has a huge responsibility on his shoulders to do that on a regular basis.

Bowlers

Mayank Markande, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Akeal Hosein, Umran Malik

Spinners Mayank Markande and Akeal Hosein will hold the key on turning tracks especially this one where the emphasis will on the tweakers. Bhuvneshwar's experience could come quite handy when things are serious. Umran has been unlucky with his pace as runs have flowed in large quantities but can bag wickets in clusters.

Predicted Playing XI of SunRisers Hyderabad:

Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Harry Brook, Abdul Samad, Mayank Markande, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Akeal Hosein, Umran Malik

Impact Players

  • Marco Jansen
  • Vivrant Sharma
  • Glenn Phillips
  • Mayank Dagar
  • T Natarajan


Kolkata Knight Riders

image-lh83wjmkKolkata Knight Riders (Source: BCCI/IPL)

Openers

Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)

Hopefully, Jason Roy is fit and if he is, surely, the top spot is booked for him alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz who played an innings to remember against Gujarat Titans striking 81 off 39 deliveries and hence, retaining his place.

Middle Order

Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur

Venkatesh Iyer has smacked a century in this IPL and is also the highest-run-getter this season for his side with a cumulative of 296 runs while batting at a strike rate of 148. Nitish Rana has blown hot and cold with three-four good innings as he has already thumped 233 runs.

No doubt over Rinku Singh and Andre Russell's place as two of the biggest hitters in the side with an outstanding quality to score runs at the death. Russell is an effective pace bowler who can be utilised anywhere during the course of 20 overs.

Shardul Thakur has returned from an injury and hence, might look a little rusty but the all-rounder has the capability to turn things around both with bat and ball.

Another stalwart Sunil Narine is expected to play a vital role on the Hyderabad track as he has done all his career for the KKR franchise.

Bowlers

Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy

Medium pacer Harshit Rana had a decent game against GT where he picked up a wicket and looks all set to keep his position in the side. Suyash Sharma's leg-spin has made the batting difficult as he has been the second-highest wicket-taker for the side in nine games after Varun Chakaravarthy who has been brilliant with 13 scalps to his name.

Predicted Playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders:

Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Suyash Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

Impact Players

  • Mandeep Singh
  • Anukul Roy
  • Tim Southee
  • Kulwant Khejroliya
  • Vaibhav Arora