Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is nearing its climax, with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) set to face off in Qualifier 2 on May 24 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This highly anticipated match will determine which team advances to the grand finale against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).SRH, after a disappointing loss to KKR in Qualifier 1, will be eager to bounce back and secure a spot in the final. RR, on the other hand, have been in impressive form, overcoming Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Eliminator.Both teams boast a talented roster of players, and the match promises to be a thrilling contest. Here are some key players to watch out for:Travis Head (SRH): The left-handed batter has been a consistent performer for SRH, scoring 533 runs at an average of 44.4. His ability to anchor the innings and provide a solid foundation makes him a crucial player.Riyan Parag (RR): The young all-rounder has emerged as a key figure for RR, particularly in the latter stages of the tournament. He has accumulated 567 runs at an impressive average of 56.7, showcasing his ability to score runs consistently.Sanju Samson (RR): The RR captain has been instrumental in his team's success, scoring 521 runs at an average of 52.1. His dual role as a top-order batter and wicketkeeper adds significant value to his fantasy value.Pat Cummins (SRH): The Australian all-rounder has been a reliable performer for SRH, both with the ball and the bat. He has taken 16 wickets at an average of 32.4 and scored 107 runs at an average of 21.4.Abhishek Sharma (SRH): The left-handed batter has been a consistent performer in the top order for SRH, scoring 470 runs at an average of 36.2. His ability to provide steady starts and build innings makes him an important player for SRH.Yuzvendra Chahal (RR): The leg-spinner has been a key bowler for RR, known for his ability to pick up crucial wickets. He has taken 18 wickets at an average of 28.4, making him a must-have for any fantasy cricket team.As SRH and RR battle for a place in the final, these players are expected to play pivotal roles in their teams' performances. The match promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams determined to secure a spot in the grand finale.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face off in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday, with a berth in the final at stake. SRH suffered a setback in Qualifier 1, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), while RR emerged victorious over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Eliminator.To ensure that weather does not disrupt the crucial match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented contingency plans. Unlike last season, where only the final had a reserve day, all playoff matches, including Qualifier 2, now have a designated reserve day.If rain interrupts the match on the scheduled day, it will resume from the start on the reserve day. To accommodate potential delays, an additional 120 minutes will be added to the cut-off time.However, if rain persists and Qualifier 2 is washed out on both the scheduled and reserve days, the winner will be determined based on the league standings. In this scenario, SRH would advance to the final as they finished second in the league, while RR placed third. Both teams had identical points (17), but SRH held a superior net run rate (+0.414) compared to RR (+0.273).According to Accuweather, the probability of rain in Chennai on Friday is minimal (5%), with a slightly higher chance (10%) on the reserve day. Therefore, it is unlikely that weather will interfere with the Qualifier 2 clash between SRH and RR.

Qualifier 2: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - A Clash of Batting and Bowling ProwessThe stage is set for a thrilling Qualifier 2 encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match, scheduled for 19:30 IST (14:00 GMT), promises an intriguing battle between SRH's explosive batting lineup and RR's formidable bowling unit.SRH's Batting Juggernaut vs RR's Bowling ArsenalSRH has shattered IPL batting records this season, boasting the highest team total of 263/5. Their destructive opening pair, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, has been instrumental in their success, scoring over 100 runs in the powerplay twice. Heinrich Klaasen, the in-form T20 batter, adds further firepower to their lineup.RR, on the other hand, possesses one of the most potent bowling attacks in the tournament. Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma provide early breakthroughs, while R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal form a formidable spin duo. The battle between SRH's batters and RR's bowlers will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.Form and Previous MeetingBoth teams have struggled in their recent outings in Chennai. SRH lost heavily to Chennai Super Kings, while RR fell short against the same opposition. However, their previous encounter was a nail-biting affair, with RR narrowly losing by 2 runs.Team News and Impact Player StrategyRR may consider including Keshav Maharaj as a third spinner on the slow Chepauk pitch. However, they may need to adjust their overseas combination if they bowl first. SRH could bring in Aiden Markram or Glenn Phillips to strengthen their batting, with Mayank Markande replacing Sanvir Singh as their legspinner.Players in the SpotlightR Ashwin has regained his form in recent games, picking up seven wickets in his last four outings. He will be eager to continue his impressive run on his home ground. Travis Head, SRH's MVP, has been dismissed twice by left-arm seamers in his last two matches. RR's Trent Boult will be looking to exploit this weakness.Stats that Matter* Ashwin has never dismissed Head but has kept him quiet, conceding only 10 runs in 17 balls.* Klaasen has dominated his match-up against Chahal, scoring 108 runs off 46 balls.* Jaiswal has an impressive record against Bhuvneshwar and Cummins, having never been dismissed by either bowler.Pitch and ConditionsThe Chennai pitch is expected to be hot and humid, with dew likely in the second innings. Teams may prefer to bowl first on winning the toss, as chasing teams have won five of the seven games played here this season.

Suresh Raina Recounts Dhoni's Uncharacteristic Anger After CSK's IPL 2014 Qualifier 2 LossFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Suresh Raina has shed light on an untold incident involving legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni after CSK's heartbreaking loss to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2014.Raina, who was a key member of the CSK team at the time, recalled that he had never witnessed Dhoni as furious as he was after that match. He revealed that Dhoni vented his frustration by throwing his pads and helmet in the dressing room."I have never seen Dhoni that angry. He vented it out after that match. He was like 'we don't score runs, we don't do this, that'. He threw his pads and helmet in the dressing room. He was irritated that we lost a match that we should have won. He was angry because we lost a match that we shouldn't have. Otherwise, we would have won the IPL that year as well," Raina said during a discussion on Lallantop.Recalling the match, Punjab had posted a mammoth 226/6 after Dhoni invited them to bat in Qualifier 2. Virender Sehwag led the charge with a 122-run knock off 58 balls while David Miller smashed 38 off just 19 balls.In reply, Raina smashed 87 off just 25 balls to give CSK a brisk start. However, CSK lost the match by 24 runs with Dhoni unbeaten on 42 off 31 balls. Dhoni was later criticized for his slow knock.Raina also recalled his own knock in the match, saying that he felt like no one could stop him that night."I felt like a man possessed. The previous day, I had a dream that I would do something special. I was seeing the ball like a football. But, I was run out. The ball hitting the bat gave me a very different sound. I was feeling like no one could stop me," he added.Meanwhile, Raina retired from all forms of the game after the IPL 2021 season and has been actively involved in commentary since then.