SRH vs KKR – 10 May 2025, Hyderabad

Match Preview: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM IST

The Indian Premier League returns to Hyderabad as the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in what promises to be a fiercely competitive encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Both teams will be eager to solidify their playoff positions as the league heads into its final stretch.

Current Form & Standings

• Sunrisers Hyderabad have displayed a balanced campaign so far, picking up 6 wins from 12 matches to sit around the mid-table mark. Their pace attack, led by Pat Cummins (c), has particularly shone in defending modest totals.
  
• Kolkata Knight Riders, captained in this match by Ajinkya Rahane, have been in sparkling form with 8 victories from 11 outings, placing them firmly in the top four and eyeing a top-two finish to secure home advantage in the playoffs.
  

Venue & Conditions

The Hyderabad pitch is known for its grippy surface that assists spinners under lights, along with true bounce that rewards timing. Evening temperatures and light dew could play a factor toward the back end of the second innings, making the toss intriguing—teams batting first will look to post a challenging total, while chasers will hope to exploit the slightly cooler conditions.

Key Battles to Watch

• Pat Cummins (SRH) vs Venkatesh Iyer (KKR)
  Cummins’s lethal pace and death-over expertise will test Iyer’s ability to anchor KKR’s middle order under pressure. Iyer, in contrast, must play cautiously against the Australian’s short-ball and yorkers.
  
• Abhishek Sharma (SRH) vs Varun Chakravarthy (KKR)
  Sharma’s aggressive strokeplay at the top could be pivotal in giving SRH a brisk start. He will need to negotiate Chakravarthy’s mystery spin—which has turned the tide in KKR’s favour in many games.
  
• Nicholas Pooran (SRH) vs Sunil Narine (KKR)
  The contest between explosive Pooran and the versatile Narine will be a highlight. Pooran’s power-hitting will be measured against Narine’s off-breaks and deceptive pace-ups.
  

Head-to-Head & Recent Encounters

In their last five IPL meetings, both sides have shared wins, but SRH have won three of the four clashes at Hyderabad, giving them a psychological edge at home. However, KKR’s confidence remains high after their recent dominant performances against other top teams.

What’s at Stake

• SRH need a victory to keep alive their playoff ambitions and to climb into the top four.
  
• KKR aim to consolidate their position and potentially leapfrog rivals to secure a top-two finish, ensuring the crucial double-chance in the playoffs.
  

Prediction

Given KKR’s momentum and strong batting depth, they enter as slight favourites. However, in front of their home crowd and with Cummins spearheading a potent bowling attack, SRH have the firepower to pull off an upset. Expect a high-intensity contest decided in the final overs.