The season has begun on a challenging note for Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite their formidable roster, as they currently hold a 1-3 record following a significant defeat to KKR. Although SRH is regarded as one of the most formidable teams on paper in the league, they have struggled to find their rhythm this year. Their bowling has been costly, and the batting lineup has not performed as effectively as it did in 2024, leaving the Orange Army in a state of disarray.

As they prepare to face the Gujarat Titans in their fifth match of the tournament, SRH will encounter a team that is in exceptional form. Despite the pressure on their top three batsmen, they have consistently managed to support their vulnerable middle order. Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler have been in outstanding form, forming strong partnerships and leading their team to victory against RCB in their last outing. If Shubman Gill can begin to convert his promising starts into substantial scores, GT will emerge as a formidable contender, especially with their bowling performing well in the early stages of the season.

As Hyderabad gears up to host this match, there may be calls for changes within the SRH lineup, aimed at revitalizing a batting unit that scored 286 in their opening match but has since underperformed. While their bench lacks significant depth, there will be attention on the performances of Sachin Baby and Atharva Taide in practice, as they could potentially enhance the batting lineup and maximize the impact of their explosive players.

Ultimately, much will hinge on the performance of Travis Head and particularly Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, as Abhishek has yet to find his footing in this tournament. Opposing fans are well aware of the explosive starts that the 'Travishek' duo can provide, which will be crucial as they seek to regain their form.

The Gujarat Titans are unlikely to make significant changes, having established a relatively stable lineup throughout the tournament. Their bowling has been consistently strong, with the exception of a costly outing from Rashid Khan, which underscores the overall balance of their team.

SRH might also be looking at changes in their bowling department, but there aren’t too many options for them there either. Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins are two of the best bowlers in the world, but haven’t shown it so far. It is time for some heavy lifting from this pair.

SRH likely XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Wiaan Mulder, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari, Mohammed Shami

GT likely XI: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Arshad Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

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