SRH vs RR: Three reasons why Rajasthan Royals will beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 in Chennai?

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SRH vs RR: Sunrisers Hyderabad after losing in Qualifier 1 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Rajasthan Royals after beating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Eliminator, the two sides will cross path for one last time in IPL 2024 when they go against each other in the Qualifier 2 on Friday, May 24.

SRH and RR first met each other this season on May 2. In the last-ball thriller, SRH stole a one-run win against RR, who settled for 200/7. With two runs required off the last ball, Buvneshwar Kumar trapped Rovman Powell in front of the stumps.

The two teams were in focus even on the final league stage day of the IPL 2024. SRH defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) to pip RR for the second spot. Later that day, RR had the chance to beat KKR in the evening match and wrap up the league stage with a second-place finish, but the match in Guwahati was abandoned due to rain.

Hyderabad and Rajasthan both finished at 17 points, but the former got a higher rank due to a better Net Run Rate (NRR). As fate has it, the two sides are once against each other for a place in the IPL 2024 final which will be played on Sunday, May 26.

Both the teams have come up with some stunning performances in the IPL 2024. However, on Friday Rajasthan will have a good chance of beating Hyderabad. Here are the three reasons why Rajasthan Royals will beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024 Qualifier 2.

Momentum and confidence: These are the two main attributes the teams look for in the knockout matches, and Rajasthan have more of it after their win against RCB in Eliminator.

RCB were on a six-match unbeaten run and no team was looking to meet them in the Eliminator. RR were forced to face them after finishing third, but they took the challenge head on and bounced back from four consecutive defeats to beat the flamboyant team.

SRH, on the other hand, looked timid after they lost openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma only. The eight-wicket drubbing would have shaken their confidence.

Chinnaswamy Conditions to favour RR: The slow and spin-friendly nature of the MA Chidambaram Stadium will be more favourable to Rajasthan Royals. Ravichandran Ashwin, the Man of the Match in Eliminator, already talked about introducing Keshav Maharaj in the bowling attack against SRH in Chennai. RR also have Yuzvendra Chahal, the joint fourth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2024.

The pace attack also consists of Trent Boult, very experienced Sandeep Sharma, and in-form Avesh Khan. In case RR batters deliver. Rajasthan bowling unit definitely has the capability to steam roll SRH batters. Not to forget, SRH were bundled out for 134 at this venue against CSK in Match 46 of IPL 2024 against CSK.

Key RR players back in form at the right time: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rovam Powell, and Shimron Hetmyer looked good against RCB in the Eliminator. That's a great sign for Rajasthan Royals, who are without their star opener Jos Buttler.

Rajasthan will particularly be happy seeing Hetmyer and Powell stepping up on the occasion. Riyal Parag is just 33 short of 600 runs in IPL 2024, while captain Sanju Samson (521) is also the sixth-highest run-scorer. The excellent mix of youth and experience is expected to come very handy for Rajasthan Royals.