IPL: Hyderabad aim to extend stay on top against Delhi (Preview)

On a roll after three successive wins, a confident Sunrisers Hyderabad will aim to continue their winning spree when they face Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.

Comfortably placed atop the rankings table with 14 points from seven wins in 10 outings, the David Warner-led side has been beaming with confidence after sneaking past Rising Pune Supergiants by four runs in a nail-biting encounter on Tuesday.

On the other hand, the Zaheer Khan-led visitors will be hoping to get back on track after suffering two back-to-back losses against bottom-placed Pune and Kings XI Punjab.

Going into Thursday's encounter, Hyderabad will once again bank on a perfect start from their skipper Warner and his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. Back into his groove, the Delhi smasher has steered the team in the event of his skipper's early dismissal.

With mercurial Yuvraj Singh in good nick, Hyderabad's middle order boasts of explosive batters in New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques, keeper-batsman Naman Ojha and Deepak Hooda.

Sunrisers' bowling unit, comprising the lethal troika of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mustafizur Rahman and Ashish Nehra, has been the best in the business so far. They have been ably supported by Barinder Sran and Henriques.

On the flip side, the Rahul Dravid-mentored Daredevils, who have applied a horses-for-courses strategy this season, would be hoping for a brilliant start from their openers Quinton de Kock and Rishabh Pant.

Delhi's explosive middle-order, comprising youngsters Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Chris Morris and Carlos Brathwaite, will be tested well by the pace trio of Hyderabad.

Skipper Zaheer has led the bowling department brilliantly with early wickets and has found good support from Mohammed Shami, Morris and Brathwaite.

The spin department, consisting Amit Mishra, Imran Tahir and Shahbaz Nadeem, has also been amongst wickets and will hopefully come good to contain Hyderabad's strong batting attack.

--IANS

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