IPL 2021: Match 49 - KKR vs SRH : Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Updates

Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH) will lock horns in match 49 of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Owing to the batting heroics of Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi, KKR put forth the target of 166 against Punjab Kings. The team displayed great character to take the game to the last over but they couldn’t defend the total and lost the match by five wickets.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, have had a dismaying outing in this year’s IPL. In their last match against CSK, their batting lineup yet again experienced a collapse as the team could manage only 134 runs. The MS Dhoni-led side chased down the target to be the first team to qualify for the play-offs.

Hyderabad has ended their hopes of making it to the top four but will look to secure a win and improve their standings in the points table. Kolkata won two consecutive matches in the UAE leg to promote themselves up the points table. Now, the scenario has turned out to be fascinating as all the other teams except for Hyderabad have chances to qualify. Thus every game for Kolkata will be important from here. 

Pitch Report:

Spinners might get some good assistance from this surface of the Dubai International Stadium. Opting to bat first can be a good alternative on this pitch.

Playing XI:

Kolkata Knight Riders

Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan(c), Dinesh Karthik(wk), Tim Seifert, Sunil Narine, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy, Tim Southee

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Jason Roy, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Kane Williamson (c), Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma, Jason Holder, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul

Key Players:

Venkatesh Iyer

Iyer has been exceptional for KKR in the UAE leg of the IPL. In the previous game, he registered his second half-century of the season. He played an impressive knock of 67 runs which included as many as nine fours and a six. He also comes in pretty handy with the ball. He will be determined to perform for the side.

Jason Holder

Jason Holder has contributed to the team with both the bat and the ball. In the last game against CSK, he picked up three crucial wickets. He also possesses the flair of changing the fortunes of the game with a quick-fire knock. The team will pin their hopes on him to keep the momentum going.