IPL 2019: SRH vs RR - Three key battles to watch out for

Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals in their second game in the 12th edition of the IPL on 29th March. The opening games for both the teams were disappointing as neither of the teams could secure a win.

However, this contest promises to be an exciting one as both the sides are extremely well balanced and both have experienced players as well as new players who have settled in very well. Also, it is after two years that David Warner and Steve Smith will be playing against each other and it will interesting to see who fares better.

Both teams have extremely skilled players like Rashid Khan, Jos Buttler and David Warner. It would be interesting to see who comes out on the top at the end of the match but more than anything else, it is going to be a battle between individual players. Let's have a look at three interesting match ups that could take place in the match between Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals:

Can Buttler pick Rashid's variations this time?

#1 Jos Buttler vs Rashid Khan

The most destructive batsmen in recent times versus the best T20 bowler, this matchup is one of the most awaited encounters of this year's IPL. Going by stats, Rashid Khan holds the upper hand as in the previous edition of the league, he dismissed Jos Buttler in both the matches.

Both scores were very low and Buttler had difficulty reading the bowler (who doesn't?). Buttler will be looking to make amends and he will have to play Rashid very carefully as he will be opening the innings and it is very essential that he stays till the very end if RR want to get a big score and if Rashid manages to nip Buttler out early, it will make things very easy for Hyderabad.

#2 David Warner vs Jaydev Unadkat

Can Jaydev Unadkat get Warner's wicket to get his team to a good start?

David Warner's return to the league was one of the most talked about things this year. He did not fail to impress as he hit a thundering 85 off 53 in the opening game and felt painfully short of his century by just 15 runs.

He will be looking to lead his team to a huge total again but it will not be easy for him as he will be facing a left arm pacer- a variety that Kolkata Knight Riders did not have. He will be facing the pace and variations of Jaydev Unadkat who has a good record against SRH. He has picked up two matches in the two games that he played in the previous year.

What makes the encounter more interesting is that Warner opens batting for SRH while Jaydev Unadkat bowls in the power play for the Royals. It will be interesting to see who gets better of whom in what is going to be an epic contest.

#3 Shakib Al Hasan vs Ben Stokes

Stokes or Shakib- who will triumph?

Now, unlike other player battles, this one is a different one. It is a matchup between both the batting skills and the bowling skills of both the players. Both these players are the first choice all-rounders for their teams and how their team fares in the match will depend a lot on their performances.

Interestingly, Ben Stokes comes to bat around the second half of RR's innings which is also the time when Shakib Al Hasan bowls his second spell.

It will be an interesting watch to see if Shakib can nip out Stokes' wicket. Similarly, Shakib comes out to bat at the death which is when Stokes completes his quota of overs. Thus, it will be rather exciting to watch who gets the better of the whom and who will prove to be the more valuable asset to the team. Both teams will give their 100% to get a win and get to winning ways.