The Sunrisers Hyderabad have not quite enjoyed playing in their home ground at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in IPL 2014 – losing both matches convincingly. The first against the Mumbai Indians was borne out of some inept batting, while the second was the result of nobody being able to stop the Kings XI juggernaut.
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The game is scheduled for an 8 pm IST (3.30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six (English) and Sony Max (Hindi) in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online HERE or HERE. Viewers in the US can catch the game on Willow TV or with the live streaming option HERE, while Canada viewers can do the same HERE. Watch the match in the rest of the world HERE, HERE or through the GoCricket apps.
Viewers in the Middle East can watch the action on OSN with the live streaming option available HERE, while New Zealand viewers can do the same via Sky NZ or HERE or via the above rest of the world options. Viewers in the UK can catch the match on ITV, while Pakistan viewers can do the same on Geo Super, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh audience able to watch the game on TV on Masaranga TV and Carlton Sports Network respectively.
SRH will be hoping it is third time lucky when they host the Kolkata Knight Riders in what really is a must-win encounter for the Hyderabad franchise. KKR currently sit in fourth with ten points from ten matches, two ahead of SRH and RCB. The Sunrisers need a victory against the Kolkata side to keep their playoff hopes alive, and coach Tom Moody is confident his team can come to the party when needed.
"Both teams know what is at stake," Moody said. "From our point of view, it is exciting to have the opportunity to still be in the contest, even though we feel that we have let two opportunities slip in the last two games. The destiny is in our own hands."
The form of their two key bowlers from last season – Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra – has been a concern for the Sunrisers, but Moody has no doubts about the fact that both players will bounce back, especially Steyn, who after all is considered the world's best bowler for no small reason.
"Dale had a disappointing outing in the last game and so did every other person who grabbed the ball," said Moody referring to the KXIP game when they failed to defend a total over 200. "He cannot carry the attack every single time in the middle.
"I think if there are a couple of games that go his way, then he will end up being the Man of the Match. I am not concerned about his form. We are aware that he is a world-class fast bowler and he will step up in the crunch games."
KKR's resurgence, which has seen them win their last three games, has been built around their solid bowling lineup, led by Sunil Narine, and the form of their opening batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. The batting duo have been in brilliant form of late, and have played a big part in turning the Knight Riders into the favourites for the final playoff spot.
"It's pleasing to see the captain score some runs," KKR coach Trevor Bayliss said of Gambhir. "He was a bit disappointing earlier in the tournament. But he has batted very well in the last four to five games. Together [with Uthappa] they have put on some really good partnerships in the last four matches.
"He [Uthappa] has looked very good. He plays in a conventional manner, he plays proper cricket shots. He has worked really hard. He is very hard to contain once he gets his eye in and once he gets going."
KKR can probably end the challenge of one rival for the final playoff spot with a victory over SRH on Saturday and Bayliss is fully aware of the importance of the game in Hyderabad. "It is obviously a very important game with both teams vying for probably the fourth spot," he added. "The Sunrisers have got a good team. They have got a strong batting lineup and very good bowlers.
"We have to play very well to beat them. Having said that, even they have to play some good cricket to beat us. For the tournament and the fans, hopefully it will be a good game."
