Former cricketer Aakash Chopra outlines the ‘highly improbable’ scenario for Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure a top-two IPL finish, requiring a massive win against RCB. He also lauded Gujarat Titans for their dominant victory over Chennai Super Kings.
SRH’s Improbable Path to Top-Two
Ahead of the ‘Southern Derby’ between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that the Men in Orange will have to pull off something extraordinary in order to seal a top-two finish, which will have them play the qualifier one clash. SRH, currently in third place with eight wins and five losses and 16 points, will be aiming to surpass second-placed Gujarat Titans (GT) in net-run-rate when they take on defending champions RCB at Hyderabad on Friday. Speaking on the JioHotstar during ‘Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Aakash said that either SRH will have to win by 85 runs or more or chase down a massive target within 11 overs. “For Sunrisers Hyderabad to move ahead in the top-two race, it would require something extremely extraordinary. If they bat first and score over 200, they would need to win by a margin of around 85 runs to surpass the Gujarat Titans on net run rate, which would also significantly impact RCB’s NRR. And if they are chasing, any target between 160 and 200 would need to be completed in roughly 11 overs. So, while qualification scenarios remain open mathematically, the scale of what is required is highly improbable,” he said.
Chopra on Gujarat Titans’ Dominant Win
On the Gujarat Titans’ dominant 89-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Aakash said that the 2022 champions were clinical in every department and showed why they are one of the strongest sides in the tournament by managing to score 220-plus against a quality pace attack on a bowling-friendly surface and followed it with perfect execution with a ball in hand. “Gujarat Titans were clinical in every department and showed exactly why they are one of the strongest sides in the tournament. On a surface where batting was not entirely straightforward, and there was assistance for the fast bowlers, they still managed to score over 220 against a quality pace attack. Their top order once again laid the foundation, while Jos Buttler provided the finishing impetus at the end. Then, with the ball, they executed their plans perfectly and completely outplayed the Chennai Super Kings. The margin of victory was significant because coming off a loss, they needed to make a strong statement in the race for a top-two finish. With the final also set to be played in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans will feel even more confident if they can carry this momentum forward,” he said.
Match Highlights
Coming to the match, CSK opted to bowl first, with skipper Shubman Gill (64 in 37 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) and Sai Sudharsan (84 in 53 balls, with seven fours and four sixes) putting on a 125-run stand. A half-century from Jos Buttler (57* in 27 balls, with five fours and four sixes) took GT to 229/4. While defending the total, Mohammed Siraj (3/26), Kagiso Rabada (3/32) and Rashid Khan (3/18) demolished the CSK batting order and bundled them out for 140 in 13.4 overs, staying at the second place in the points table, with nine wins and five losses. (ANI)
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