For the first time in four years, team Hyderabad has found themselves as second best at home in the Indian T20 League; losing two consecutive home fixtures. Put aside their opening brilliance of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, the defiance of middle order has hurt the champions of 2016 edition a big time this season.
Up next for them is a stern Chennai unit led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Men in Yellow have lost just one fixture this season and are absolute favourite for tonight’s tie. It seems like the odds are stacked against the home of late and if history is anything to go by, their fortune is set to take them deeper in the order.
The two teams have clashed 10 times in past, with Chennai emerging victorious on eight occasions, while Hyderabad has just two in their kitty. In fact, the last victory for the home team against Chennai came way back in 2015.
Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at who should be your top picks for the fixture.
Batsman: David Warner
Money Sharma / AFP
It has to be him, isn’t it? Warner along with his opening partner, Jonny Bairstow, has terrorized several bowling attacks this season – regardless of the final outcome of course – and keeping in mind that he is the current orange cap holder (with 400 runs in seven games) make sure he is there your list.
To add to it, Warner will be running for a personal milestone tonight as he only needs 21 runs to complete 3000 runs for his team Hyderabad. Apart from these figures, Warner’s capability of hitting big on regular intervals is sure to give you added bonus points.
He is a man on a mission.
Bowler: Harbhajan Singh
Arun Sankar / AFP
Arguably a department of dispute given that both Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh have performed out of their skin. If wickets are to be considered, the former tops the list, but in terms of economy and average, the Indian spinning wizard has been a revelation this season. In four games thus far, the 38-year-old has scalped seven wickets at an average of 11.70 and an economy of mere 5.12; the best amongst any bowlers this season.
On a personal scale, Harbhajan has been a doom for Hyderabad, having taken 24 wickets – second best in IPL - against them. Even the hard-hitting David Warner has failed in his artistry against the spinner over the years. The Australian has faced 85 deliveries and has managed just 97 runs, losing wicket on three occasions. Against Manish Pandey, the spinner carries a record which read; 64 balls, 64 runs and four dismissals.
All-Rounder: Ravindra Jadeja
Sajjad Hussain / AFP
With skipper Kane Williamson back in the team, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is expected to miss the fixture, leaving Chennai’s Ravindra Jadeja as the only viable option as far as the all-rounders are concerned. The 30-year-old remains one of the most trusted and perfectly figured personnel for Chennai and the fact that he carries an economy of mere 6.64 is the perfect specimen of it.
Jadeja, at times, is capable of hitting important knocks and can also notch crucial wickets while in pressure. With his all-round capabilities, expect several bonus points.
