IPL 2021 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Sunday 11th April, 2021 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Where can I get tickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders? IPL 2021 matches will initially be played without spectators but visit the official IPL website for any further updates
What channel is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders on? Sky Sports will be televising this match
Where can I stream Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders? Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match live vis the Sky Go website or app
THE TEAM NEWS
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
- It was not the best of IPL’s for the Sunrisers Hyderabad last year but they did manage to scrape into the knockout phase and make it to the second Qualifier where they fell short against Delhi Capitals but it will give them some confidence in this group of players.
- Much of the same set of players are still with the team this year which means they have an excellent top order and a great bowling attack, but the middle order remains fragile and the lack of depth in their batting is alarming.
- David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan are all tipped to be their overseas starters to commence the campaign while they will be confident in their bowling unit which features Indian stars Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Thangarasu Natarajan.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
- Kolkata Knight Riders fell short on making the play-offs last year on net run rate but they struggled with the balance in their team and in making their selections of overseas players which they will hope to remedy here.
- Despite his heroics in the past, Windies all-rounder Sunil Narine may be the fall guy from last year as teams have worked out how to bowl to him now and the signing of veteran Harbhajan Singh will allow KKR to field both Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson.
- Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell will be key to their hopes once again but they do need their local batsmen in Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill and Raul Tripathi to find some form right from the off too.
THE PREDICTION
A fascinating encounter lies in store in Chennai at the Sunrisers Hyderabad face off against the Kolkata Knight Riders. There are question marks over both teams and neither are overly convincing so it could very well come down to which side adjusts best to a slow turning Chennai pitch. The Sunrisers have some players such as Jonny Bairstow, David Warner, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and T Natarajan who have been playing some superb cricket in recent times which could see them hit the ground running. KKR and some of their key men may not have that momentum and it could just about swing this tight in favour of the Sunrisers.
