Hyderabad and Rajasthan are set to clash for a chance to advance to the finals as they meet in Qualifier 2 of the Indian T20 League 2024. The showdown will unfold at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai this Friday, May 24.

Hyderabad, led by P. Cummins, enters the match following a heavy 8-wicket defeat to Kolkata in Qualifier 1. On the other hand, Rajasthan, under the leadership of S. Samson, comes off a 4-wicket victory against Bengaluru in the Eliminator. 

Hyderbad Last Match in Indian T20 League

Despite a formidable batting lineup, Hyderabad struggled against Kolkata as R. Tripathi only stood out with a fifty, complemented by a brief but spirited innings from Cummins, reaching 159. In response, Kolkata chased down the target within 14 overs at the N. Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, securing their spot in the final on Tuesday.

Rajasthan Last Match in Indian T20 League

However, Hyderabad has another opportunity to make it to the final, having secured the second spot in the league standings. Rajasthan, boosted by a crucial partnership between R. Parag and S. Hetmyer, successfully chased 173 against Bengaluru to advance to this crucial match-up in Ahmedabad.

As both teams aim for their second championship title, this encounter marks their 20th meeting in the league and their first face-off in Chennai. In this article, we will talk about their head-to-head records, detailed pitch stats, recent forms, predicted playing XI, and who is more likely to win.

Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Qualifier 2 Match Details

Recent Form of Hyderabad and Rajasthan

Hyderabad’s dynamic duo, T. Head and A. Sharma, have been lighting up the scoreboard this season, with T. Head racking up 533 runs at a strike rate of 199.62 and A. Sharma amassing 470 runs at 207.04. Collectively, they’ve hit 72 sixes and 96 boundaries. H. Klaasen has also been a standout performer, contributing 413 runs at a strike rate of 180, including 34 sixes. However, they face Rajasthan’s formidable spin pair, Y. Chahal and R. Ashwin, in the upcoming high-stakes match.

The pitch at Chepauk, known for its challenging batting conditions, will test Hyderabad’s hitters. Despite the tough pitch, Hyderabad will rely on T. Natarajan, their top wicket-taker this season, to leverage the home advantage. The team, however, faces concerns due to a lack of impactful spinners, with M. Markande showing mediocre form and S. Ahmed being primarily a batsman.

Rajasthan Form Ahead of Qualifier 2

On the other side, Rajasthan heads into the game with a morale-boosting win against Bengaluru, snapping a five-match losing streak. Y. Jaiswal’s form at the top is a promising sign for the team. The consistency of their skipper, S. Samson, will be crucial moving forward. The middle order, with D. Jurel, and explosive hitters like S. Hetmyer and R. Powell, add depth to Rajasthan’s lineup, with R. Parag also proving to be a vital player this season.

Head-to-Head Records: Hyderabad vs Rajasthan

In their past encounters in the Indian T20 League, Hyderabad and Rajasthan have been closely matched. Out of 19 games, Hyderabad has won 10, slightly ahead of Rajasthan’s 9 victories. In their playoff clashes, Rajasthan took the lead in their only meeting. A memorable highlight from this season was Hyderabad’s nail-biting 1-run victory over Rajasthan in their only league stage matchup. Both teams have had their moments, with the score evenly tied at 3-3 in their last six encounters, reflecting a tight competition.

Head-to-Head Statistics of Hyderabad vs Rajasthan

As they prepare to face off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for the first time, here’s a deeper look at their historical performance, both head-to-head and at this particular venue:

Performance at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Predicted 11 for Hyderabad and Rajasthan

In the upcoming face-off, Hyderabad looks to bring a balanced team with key players like T. Head and P. Cummins, who is also leading as the captain. H. Klaasen will be crucial behind the stumps. For Rajasthan, the lineup includes the reliable S. Samson both as a batsman and wicketkeeper, supported by power hitters like R. Powell. Bowling strengths are marked by T. Boult for Rajasthan, while Hyderabad will lean on B. Kumar’s experience. Both teams are bringing their A-game with versatile players ready to make an impact.

Here is the predicted 11 for Hyderabad vs Rajasthan

Pitch Report for MA Chidambaram Stadium: Hyderabad vs Rajasthan, Qualifier 2

The pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium has shown a balance this season, favoring both batsmen and bowlers. The average score for the first innings here is typically about 164, dropping slightly to 151 in the second innings.

As matches wear on, the surface becomes more conducive to spin, challenging the batsmen’s ability to play aggressive shots. The season has seen a variety of outcomes at this venue, including high scores over 200 and a few games with much lower totals.

In terms of ground dimensions, the boundary straight down the field is approximately 70 meters, and it’s around 67 meters to the sides.

Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Match Prediction: Who Will Win the Qualifier 2 of Indian T20 League?

Given their strong batting depth and skilled spinners, Rajasthan appears to have the upper hand in the Qualifier 2 of the Indian T20 League. While Hyderabad possesses a formidable batting lineup that can be very effective, Rajasthan’s well-rounded team and experienced bowlers give them a slight edge in this crucial match.

Disclaimer – Our suggestions do not guarantee that you will win any contest in fantasy cricket or any other competition. The suggestions and predictions are the personal opinions of the author.

Subham Saha