Tonight’s IPL 2025 fixture promises fireworks as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) host the formidable Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH, eager to break their three-match losing streak, face a stern test against a GT side riding high on confidence after a commanding victory over RCB.
SRH’s season began with a bang, posting a mammoth 286 runs in their opener. However, their aggressive batting strategy has faltered in recent outings, with scores dwindling to 190, 163, and a mere 120. Key players like Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen have struggled for consistency, while the bowling attack, spearheaded by captain Pat Cummins, has been leaky, with no bowler managing to complete their quota of four overs in each match. SRH languish at the bottom of the points table, teetering on the brink of playoff elimination.
Contrastingly, GT are on an upward trajectory, bolstered by a potent top order featuring Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Josh Buttler, complemented by finishers like Sherfane Rutherford and Rahul Tewatia. The absence of Kagiso Rabada is a setback, but GT have capable replacements in Gerald Coetzee or Glenn Phillips. Their disciplined bowling unit gives them a significant advantage.
Pitch Report: The red soil pitch at Hyderabad is known for its bounce and carry, though it tends to slow down as the match progresses. Despite the average boundary lengths of 69m, 67m, and 79m, the ground has witnessed an average of 24 sixes per game. The dry, grassless, firm surface favors teams batting first, with past matches consistently yielding totals over 200.
Dream11 Team Prediction:
Sunrisers Hyderabad Predicted XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Simarjeet Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami. Impact Player: Zeeshan Ansari/Adam Zampa.
Gujarat Titans Predicted XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma. Impact Player: Sherfane Rutherford/Washington Sundar.
Squads:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler, B. Sai Sudharshan, Shahrukh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Mahipal Lomror, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, Gerald Coetzee, Mohmmad Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Sherfane Rutherford, R. Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Glenn Phillips, Kareem Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya.
Head-to-Head Record: SRH and GT have clashed four times, with GT holding the upper hand, securing victory in three encounters. SRH’s sole win came in their inaugural meeting in 2022, but GT have dominated the subsequent three matches. Their last scheduled face-off in Hyderabad was abandoned due to rain.
Weather Forecast: According to Accuweather, Hyderabad is set to sizzle with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius. The heat is expected to persist into the evening, with temperatures still above 30 degrees Celsius at the 7:30pm start time.