Evenly matched teams in a battle of wits
A preview of the first eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Delhi
Match facts
Wednesday, May 22, 2013Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)
Big picture
The first eliminator of IPL 2013 features two unlikely, yet similar competitors, in Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The thread of similarity extends beyond the 'underdog' status.Form guide
Rajasthan Royals LLWWW (most recent first)Sunrisers Hyderabad WWLWL
In the spotlight
Shane Watson's importance to Rajasthan Royals simply cannot be played down. His return to bowling has opened up an extra slot in the team for them, while his batting set up some of their biggest wins this season. Royals have used him smartly, pushing him down the order in tough chases, against Super Kings for instance, or using his big-hitting skills to set up quick starts at the top of the order.Stats and trivia
- Shane Watson needs four more wickets to reach a milestone of 100 T20 wickets
- James Faulkner is the only player in T20 cricket to have picked up five wickets against the same team (Sunrisers Hyderabad) twice in a season/tournament.
- Dale Steyn's economy rate of 5.65 is the second-best in the tournament, among bowlers who have bowled more than 30 overs. Sunil Narine leads the list with an economy rate of 5.46
- Sunrisers have restricted their opponents to a score of 130 or less in 10 of their 16 league matches
Quotes
"I believe the reason we have succeeded as a group is because this team is not about any individual. We all gel together and enjoy each other's success. We stuck to our plans, executed them well and played good cricket."Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman, Shikhar Dhawan
Rachna Shetty is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo