Fantasy Pick: Bank on Aiden Markram, Josh Hazlewood at the Wankhede
May 8: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore, 54th Match, Wankhede Stadium
Safe XI: Dinesh Karthik, Nicholas Pooran, Mahipal Lomror, Rahul Tripathi, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood (vice-capt), Sean Abbott, Wanindu Hasaranga
Captain: Aiden Markram
The South African batter has been in scintillating form for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season scoring 305 runs in eight innings at an average of 76.25 and a strike rate of 151.74. He has been consistently scoring runs recording scores of 40 or more in five of his eight innings this season. The last time he played here at Wankhede Stadium, he scored 56 off 40 balls
Vice-captain: Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood has been Royal Challengers Bangalore's primary strike bowler ever since he joined this side earlier in this season as he has picked up 11 wickets in seven outings at an economy of 7.20. He has been literally unplayable by right-handed batters this season as ten of his wickets are against right-handers at an average of 8.80 and an economy of 5.33. The last time he played at the Wankhede, he picked up 3 for 28 against Delhi Capitals earlier this season.
Hot Picks
Dinesh Karthik: The player with the best strike rate this season (minimum 100 runs), Dinesh Karthik has shown phenomenal hitting prowess scoring 244 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 189.14. His last four scores in Wankhede Stadium are 66*, 44*, 25 and 40.
Abhishek Sharma: With 331 runs in ten games at a strike rate of 134, Abhishek Sharma is the leading run scorer for Sunrisers this season. He is the second highest run scorer in powerplay with 200 runs at a strike rate of 128.20, only behind Jos Buttler's 262 run tally.
Differential Picks
Sean Abbott: After a short stint with Royal Challengers in 2015, Sean Abbott has finally got some game time for Sunrisers this season. The highest wicket-taker in Big Bash League history was taken by Sunrisers this season after an impressive BBL11 where he picked up 19 wickets in 13 innings. He is very handy with the bat and a safe catcher in the outfield too.
Mahipal Lomror: The former Rajasthan Royals all-rounder has grabbed his opportunity with both hands with some good contributions in the last couple of games - 16(8) and 42(27). He scored 231 runs in six outings at an average of 46.20 in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
High Risk XI: Dinesh Karthik (capt), Nicholas Pooran, Faf du Plessis, Rahul Tripathi, Rajat Patidar, Aiden Markram, Shahbaz Ahmed, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vice-capt), Josh Hazlewood, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik