A seven-day break in a tournament as protracted as the IPL is indeed a luxury, one that Sunrisers Hyderabad capitalized on after their last match against Lucknow Super Giants on May 8th. In that encounter, Sunrisers' openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma showcased a blistering batting performance, propelling their team to 167/0 in just 9.4 overs and securing a decisive victory that significantly bolstered their net run-rate.
As they gear up to face Gujarat Titans at their home ground on Thursday, the question arises: will this break disrupt their momentum, particularly that of their openers? Sunrisers assistant coach Simon Helmot doesn't believe so, stating, "I don't think it changes momentum. We've had some five-day breaks throughout the tournament, we're used to having breaks, so I don't think that'll change things anyway."
Meanwhile, the Titans, who were eliminated from the playoffs due to rain intervening in Ahmedabad, will be eager to conclude their campaign on a positive note. With the recent loss of Rajasthan Royals to Punjab Kings, Sunrisers must win their remaining two matches to stay in contention for a top-two finish. Notably, they have secured four wins out of five at home this season, with their sole loss occurring against RCB when they fell short while chasing a target of 207.
Although the Pat Cummins-led team has suffered three consecutive losses against the Titans, their upcoming clash in Hyderabad marks the first meeting between the two sides in this season at this venue.
