IPL 2021: SRH vs KKR Match 3 Predicted Playing XI for both the Teams

IPL 2021 SRH vs KKR: Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Kolkata Knight Riders in match 3 as we look at the predicted playing 11 and top fantasy players picks.

Another eventful night came to an end as Delhi Capitals came out stronger in an high-scoring affair against the CSK in Match 2 of IPL 2021. CSK did well batting first scoring over 180 runs, but the dew combined with some really good batting and poor bowling by CSK meant Delhi Capitals chased the target inside 19 overs. 

We are now back to Chennai where Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening game of the season. SRH had made it to the Playoffs of IPL 2020; their 5th successive occasion since 2016. They have a Well-balanced squad overall with David Warner at the helm. If they can get their lower-order to perform well, they would once again fancy their chances for yet another Play-offs finish at the least. 

KKR, on the other hand, couldn’t find their mojo in IPL 2020. They were struggling for a proper playing 11 in the entire tournament, and ultimately even ended up replacing their captain. Under Morgan, KKR now have a good mix of youth and experience. If only their inexperienced players can come good, KKR can also fancy their chances for the Play-offs. 

Meanwhile, the first match at Chennai was quite unique on its known. It wasn’t a slow and sluggish pitch by its standards even though the final scorecard might suggest the same. Mumbai Indians were going quite well until the 16th over with 135 on the board. It was only in the last 4 overs that RCB pulled it back. Even while chasing RCB were going comfortably before choking in a span of 2-3 overs. 

With that in mind, we can expect Chennai to behave unlike its history with good batting conditions expected. Spinners might once again find it difficult to get spin on otherwise traditionally spin-friendly wicket. Pacers with variations should get more assistance as compared to bowlers who rely on pace and swing. 

IPL 2021 SRH vs KKR: Predicted Playing XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad:

The first question which Sunrisers Hyderabad would have to think about is their opening combination. While Captain David Warner is their primary opener, one of Wriddhiman Saha or Jonny Bairstow should play as the second opener. Saha did well for SRH in the limited opportunities he got, but Bairstow is no noob either. Ultimately, it would come down to strengthening their top-order vs lower-order. 

The trio of Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, and Kedar Jadhav should make the middle-order of SRH experienced and strong. It would be interesting to see who plays at 6, but given what Samad has done for them in 2020, he should make it. The number 7 should be a toss up between Jason Holder and Mohammad Nabi. 

The bowling for SRH should see their first-choice frontier, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, and T Natarajan taking the centre stage. It won’t be an understatement to make, but these 4 make for the best bowling attack of the competition beating even the Mumbai Indians. 

IPL 2021 SRH vs KKR: Predicted Playing 11 for Sunrisers Hyderabad:

David Warner (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Kedar Jadhav, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma & T Natarajan. 

IPL 2021 SRH vs KKR: Predicted Playing XI for Kolkata Knight Riders:

Just like SRH, Kolkata Knight Riders’ first question would be their opening combination. It should either be the left-right combo of Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana or right-right combo of Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi. In any which case, the trio should form the top-order for KKR for the first match at least. 

The middle-order is once again the strongest with the likes of Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, and Andre Russell. These three have been flexible, and their batting-order would depend on the situation. The team should also see Sunil Narine as the floater to begin with. However, don’t be surprised if Shakib Al Hasan is played ahead of Narine. 

Coming to the bowling, Harbhajan Singh has good experience of playing at Chennai, and he might be preferred as the second spinner alongside Varun Chakravarthy. The pace bowling should see Pat Cummins and Prasidh Krishna leading the charge. Also, given how Chennai pitch behaved in the first match, Lockie Ferguson can also play instead of Sunil Narine. 

IPL 2021 SRH vs KKR: Predicted Playing 11 for Kolkata Knight Riders:

Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (C), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine / Lockie Ferguson / Shakib Al Hasan, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, Varun Chakravarthy & Prasidh Krishna 

Top Fantasy Players to Pick: 

Batsmen: Shubman Gill, David Warner, and Kane Williamson

All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi and Andre Russell

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Varun Chakravarthy, T Natarajan, and Harbhajan Singh. 

CVC Choice: David Warner and Shubman Gill

Thanks for reading! What’s your predicted playing 11 Match 3 SRH vs KKR of IPL 2021? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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