IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-ups To Watch-Out in SRH VS RR Match No.4

The fourth match of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) will see Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) going up against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their IPL 2023 opener on April 2 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.  After a disappointing season last year, SRH pressed the reset button and made wholesale changes in the auction. The Orange Army made some exciting inclusions to their squad at the auction by roping overseas stars such as Harry Brook, Adil Rashid, Heinrich Klassen, and Akeal Hosein.

They further strengthen their squad with the addition of quality Indian players in Mayank Agarwal, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Dagar, Upendra Yadav, Vivrant Sharma, and Mayank Markande. SRH’s squad looks pretty balanced than what it was last season.  However, they’ll miss the services of their Proteas stars including Aiden Markram for the first game of the season against the Royals. 

In the IPL 2022, RR played brilliantly to reach the tournament’s final. However, they couldn’t end up becoming champions as they lost to Gujarat Titans in the final. After a stellar season, the Royals released nine players ahead of the auction. None of them were regulars in their playing XI in IPL 2022. Jason Holder, Adam Zampa, and Joe Root were signed for the 2023 season. These quality additions make RR more formidable. RR will have most of their regular players available for their opening game against SRH. 

Both teams have faced each other 16 times in the history of the league so far. Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 8 while Rajasthan Royals have also won 8. No matches have ended in a draw. Here are three player battles to watch out for in the SRH vs RR clash.

Here Are the Top 3 Key Player Battles for the SRH VS RR Game:

3) Harry Brook vs Yuzvendra Chahal 

Brook is one of the most exciting players going around the world right now. His stature has grown ever since he scored three conductive Test hundreds in Pakistan. A calm head, who can absorb pressure and still maintain the pace of the innings, Brook will look to start his IPL career on a high.

However, he will be challenged by the RR’s Yuzvendra Chahal at the other end. The leg spinner was the highest wicket-taker in the competition last year and has the happy knack of picking big wickets. Brook’s game against the quality spin will be tested when he will come against the Grand Master Chahal.

2) Trent Boult vs Mayank Agarwal

Agarwal endured a poor season last year. With a new team, the Karnataka batter will be looking to start fresh. He is likely to bat as an opener, where he has been the most effective in his IPL career. The right-handed batter plays according to the situation and he is capable of playing fast bowlers and spinners equally well.

If Agarwal opens then it won’t be easy for him against RR’s powerplay specialist- Trent Boult, who has the ability to move the ball both ways. If he can get his line and length right, he can dismiss Agarwal early in the innings. Agarwal will have to negate Boult’s swing in the first six overs.

1) Jos Buttler vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The highest run-scorer of IPL 2022, Jos Buttler will look to score a truckload of runs to help his team go all the way and lift the trophy this year. An aggressive batter at the top, who likes to maximize the powerplay and bat for the majority of the innings, Buttler will be the biggest threat to SRH in the first game.

For that to happen, Buttler will have to counter Bhuvneshwar who is set to challenge him with the new ball. Bhuvneshwar has troubled Buttler in T20Is, dismissing him five times.  However, SRH’s pace Ace hasn’t dismissed him yet in the IPL. In the five meetings, Buttler has scored only 36 runs at a poor strike rate of 97. The stars suggest that Buttler’s nemesis- Bhuvenshwar has an upper hand over the RR opener. This battle will be in focus during the SRH vs RR game.