What’s happened in the matches prior to this, doesn’t matter. SRH take on RR in the eliminator on Wednesday, in Mullanpur, and both teams start with a clean slate, and records, for once won’t really make a difference. The team losing, will be sent packing, while the victors, could only call it job half done. That is the nature of the eliminator, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for both contenders, in IPL 2026.
To reach this far is a statement in itself, and the team who bats better, should move to qualifier 2. They have ample resources too. One might admit though, that SRH might be slightly ahead in the race, given the balance they possess. Keeping that in mind, Insidesport takes a look at the predicted SRH playing XI vs RR.
No changes needed in top 6
Sunrisers Hyderabad is one of those teams, whose batting has not changed one bit in the last 2-3 seasons. And there is a bloody good reason for it. Their batters not only score, but demolish the opposition batting.
Travis Head & Abhishek Sharma: Not the best year for him, but has scored 393 in 14 matches, at an SR of 168. Due for a big one now. On the other hand, his partner is doing continuing to do his very best. Has scored 563 at an SR of 206.
Ishan Kishan the Mr. Dependable: He is the man in form, scoring runs left-right-centre. Has scored 569 runs this year, with 6 fifties. Has a chance to get to that orange cap.
Heirich Klaasen & Nitish Kumar Reddy: The South African has been in a different league altogether, scoring 606. The strike-rate might have dropped a bit, but is scoring daddy runs. NKR, meanwhile, has done well scoring over 250 runs.
Smaran Ravichandran out, RS Ambrish in
It is true that S Ravichandran hasn’t been getting enough deliveries to bat, in the 5 matches he has played, but why even go for him; Instead, the team has the option of roping in all-rounder RS Ambrish. He is explosive option with the team, and is a good pacer too. That skill might be needed against RR in Mullanpur. –
Give Liam Livingstone a match
Salil Arora might have done just fine in the limited opportunities, but when you have the option of playing Liam Livingstone…. Look, it is a punt, might/might not work. The Englishman’s record isn’t the greatest in the IPL, but if he can contribute to the team, nothing like it. This year, two matches have only produced 15 runs. But has an IPL career SR of 155. Gives a decent leg spin option as well. But hasn’t done anything noteworthy since IPL 2023, where he scored 279 runs for PBKS.
Predicted SRH XI
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Nitish Kumar Reddy, RS Ambrish, Pat Cummins(c), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain. Impact Sub: Praful Hinge.
Cricket
India squad for Sri Lanka Tests to be picked this week: Bumrah, Jadeja to return, Washington Sundar doubtful
