A huge game is on the cards in IPL 2016 as two quality teams — Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Lions — are set for a massive encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Friday. SRH come into this game with a win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, but Gujarat Lions have been unimpressive in the last two matches of the competition, having lost both.
Gujarat Lions, who have some brilliant players, need to step up their game against SRH in Hyderabad. The Lions can go top of the IPL table with a win against SRH.
Here is a look at how the IPL 2016 game might go.
If Gujarat Lions bat first: IPL 2016 has seen a trend with teams batting second emerging victorious on many occasions, as has been witnessed at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where the chasing side has won four out of the last five games.
Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum take on SRH bowlers, and score runs in boundaries, reaching 52 runs in the first six over. Mustafizur Rahman dismisses both batsmen in the seventh over, which slows down the run rate. Aaron Finch and Suresh Raina are not attacking much and are scoring runs in singles and an occasional four, but they seem to be set, and play their shots as they reach 116 in the 16th over. Raina, going for a massive shot, is caught in the deep. Finch and Dinesh Karthik power Gujarat Lions to impressive 166 runs in 20 overs.
David Warner continues his impressive form with the bat, and scores runs with ease while Shikhar Dhawan looks like a mute spectator. Shikhar also gets into the act, but falters in the fifth over. Warner is going strong, and is looking ruthless against both the seamers and pacers. Kane Williamson is trying his best to give the strike to Warner, who is looking dangerous. SRH score 103 runs in the 10th over, with the left-hander on 65 runs. But, Warner is gone in the 13th over. SRH are in good shape as Williamson begins to take charge. Williamson and Yuvraj Singh, who is playing his first match, help SRH chase down the score in the 17th over.
If SRH bat first: Warner plays his shots from the very first over, and starts well along with Shikhar, who also looks good early on. The duo score 50 runs in the Powerplay, and continue their impressive stroke play, which takes their team total to 100 runs in the 13th over. They look set for a 180-plus total, but both the openers are dismissed in succession, which brings Kane Williamson and Yuvraj Singh at the crease. Williamson does not look good as he is troubled by Ravindra Jadeja, who takes the New Zealander's wicket. Yuvraj and Moises Henrique shine with the bat to score 180 runs.
McCullum and Smith score runs with ease, dealing in fours and sixes. They tear apart the SRH bowlers, who look clueless, and score 80 runs in the first six overs. Smith is the dominant partner, scoring 52 of the total runs. They continue their onslaught and McCullum is gone in the 10th over as Gujarat Lions are just 60 runs away from the total. Gujarat Lions lose Smith as well. Finch and Raina do not take many risks, but steer their team to its seventh win in IPL 2016.