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Justin Langer may want to tune in to the IPL - if he hasn't already - to see how Steven Smith and David Warner go. Both have blown hot and blown cold so far, but Warner's form seems to be coming back after two back-to-back half-centuries. These have mirrored the Sunrisers Hyderabad's swing in fortunes as they look to make their way up the mid-table, having won three out of six games.

But Smith's Rajasthan Royals have lost four in a row now and their campaign is quickly slipping. Rahul Tewatia's heroics seems so long ago - they have now gone two weeks without a win; have seen their batting line-up shuffle and every game has opened up new wounds. They don't have a settled opening combination, Sanju Samson's hit a trough, Smith is hoicking and slogging his way in search of runs and a way out of trouble, and Mahipal Lomror in the top five seems one spot too high. They need some magic very quick or their season could derail even before going into the second half.

Do the Royals continue to keep faith in young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who seems short on confidence? Or do they turn to Robin Uthappa's experience as an opener, a position he has had most success in? The only positive given the short turnaround is the fact that they conceded less than 200 in Sharjah in the last game. It's the same venue where they smashed 226 in a record chase earlier, and the bowling performance is something to work with.

The Sunrisers are seeing things come together after a wayward beginning. The Warner-Bairstow combine is firing again, Kane Williamson is finishing off innings, Rashid Khan continues to do what he does so well, and their Indian youngsters, like Priyam Garg, are taking outstanding catches and effecting brilliant run-outs if they miss out with the bat. Can Manish Pandey find his hitting range? That will make them even more dangerous. As things stand, there's little doubt over which camp is the more settled one.

In the news

Hello, Ben Stokes. The England allrounder has served his six-day quarantine after having arrived some way into the season from New Zealand. He trained with the team on match eve and is expected to come into the XI straightaway. This will not only shore up the Royals middle order but also give Smith an extra bowling option. Stokes' presence could just free up Smith to play the way he prefers, as the sheet anchor. Also, given the way the line-up looks, Andrew Tye will likely go out.

Rajasthan Royals: 1 Jos Buttler (wk), 2 Robin Uthappa/Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Sanju Samson, Steven Smith (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Mahipal Lomror, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Shreyas Gopal, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Varun Aaron, 11 Kartik Tyagi

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1 David Warner (capt), 2 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3 Manish Pandey, 4 Kane Williamson, 5 Priyam Garg, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Abhishek Sharma, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 T Natarajan, 10 Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Sandeep Sharma/Basil Thampi

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