Sunrisers Hyderabad have peaked at the right time and have an edge over a struggling Delhi Capitals in Sunday’s Qualifier 2 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
The winner of this game will face defending champions Mumbai Indians in the final in Dubai on Tuesday.
The David Warners and Kane Williamsons have won their last four matches, including Friday’s Eliminator versus Royal Challengers Bangalore in which they held their nerves on a tricky wicket.
Shreyas Iyer and his men have, on the other hand, lost five of their last six matches. The way they surrendered to Mumbai in Qualifier 1 exposed the holes in the Capitals team.
Marcus Stoinis File picture
Sunrisers may not have bowlers of the quality of Kagiso Rabada or R. Ashwin, but the likes of Sandeep Sharma, Jason Holder with his all-round capabilities, T. Natarajan and Rashid Khan, do possess the expertise to trouble Delhi’s line-up, which requires the presence of a dasher like Shimron Hetmyer in the middle order.
The in-form Marcus Stoinis, though, remains positive. “In these long tournaments, there’s a good chance of most teams going through these ebbs and flows. But I think we’ve just got to play some fearless cricket and this is a great opportunity for us,” the all-rounder said.
The Sunrisers’ only concern is whether Wriddhiman Saha, who missed the Eliminator owing to injury, will be fit enough to return to the XI.
- Match today: 7.30pm IST (Abu Dhabi)
