IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals betting tips | 23/3

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals match preview

The second match of the IPL 2025 season sees Sunrisers Hyderabad begin their campaign at home against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday afternoon (IST) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

After finishing as runners-up in 2024, the Sunrisers will be eager to go one better, while Rajasthan arrives with key changes in personnel and leadership—and not all of them are reassuring.

Hyderabad will look to pick up where they left off last season: going hard with the bat from ball one. Three of the four highest totals in IPL 2024 were theirs, and the attacking pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma will once again lead the charge at the top.

The duo averaged a combined 67 runs in the powerplay last year, setting the tone for one of the league’s most explosive batting units.

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Rajasthan, meanwhile, is adjusting to life without Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, both of whom played key roles in recent seasons. Riyan Parag leads the side in the absence of regular captain Sanju Samson behind the stumps, with Dhruv Jurel taking the gloves.

Though they retain quality in the bowling attack—including Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jofra Archer—their middle-order depth looks questionable.

Pat Cummins captains a settled and fearsome Sunrisers Hyderabad batting line-up, with Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Reddy offering depth.

Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel add experience to a retooled bowling unit. Adam Zampa is likely to edge out Wiaan Mulder as the fourth overseas player, while Atharva Taide could feature as an impact sub.

With Buttler gone and Samson playing as a pure batter for now, the Royals will rely heavily on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer for runs.

The spin duo of Hasaranga and Theekshana remains their biggest weapon. Jofra Archer, if fit, will spearhead the pace attack, but there are gaps in the batting order that SRH could exploit.

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals predictions

SRH averaged 67 in the first six overs last season at home. With Head and Abhishek both boasting strike rates over 180 in the powerplay, they start fast more often than not. Even if Rajasthan open with spin, it’s unlikely to halt the momentum.

Hyderabad is one of the six most friendly venues in the IPL. Last season, all seven matches at the venue saw totals of 200+—with plenty of maximums. Both teams have serious hitting power through the top and middle order.

Abhishek Sharma was one of the stars of IPL 2024 and continued that form in India colours. The young left-hander smashed 279 runs in five T20I innings against England at a strike rate of 218. At home, with freedom to attack, Abhishek Sharma to score 50 or more runs is a strong play at $3.75 with top sports bookmakers.

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