Sunrisers Hyderabad, who became the fourth Indian team to enter the main draw of the Champions League T20, face their first big test when they take on Trinidad & Tobago here on Tuesday night.
Led by Denesh Ramdin, T&T gave a good account of themselves when they stoutly defended a score of 135 against the Brisbane Heat in Ranchi on Sunday. For years, T&T have dominated the Caribbean domestic tournaments and are a side brimming with experience — as many as six members of the T20 world championships 2012 title winning squad are part of the squad.
This is Trinidad & Tobago’s fourth appearance in the tournament, and the squad will take heart from their splendid show in the inaugural season when they stormed into the final.
For the Sunrisers, it will be important to keep their opponents as well as the fixing controversy surrounding their four players away as they gear up for a crucial tie. The Sunrisers rely a lot on skipper Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel, but in T&T they face a unit capable of upsetting anyone on their day.
Hyderabad’s bowling is in capable hands with quicks Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma, spinner Amit Mishra and Karan Sharma providing a lot of variety.
On Tuesday, they will have a mystery to solve in off-spinner Sunil Narine. Together with Samuel Badree, the duo will form the fulcrum of T&T bowling along with Ravi Rampaul, who shone with 4/14 in the game against Brisbane.
Sunrisers’ middle order wears a thin look and it is this area which their opponents will look to exploit.
Brisbane and Titans, both of whom lost their first matches to T&T and Chennai Super Kings respectively, will be keen to register the first points when they face-off in the afternoon game.
While Titans put up a strong 185 against Dhoni’s men, Brisbane — making their first CLT20 appearance — had a rather forgetful start as they were bowled out for 110 chasing a modest 135.
A young side, Brisbane will bank on James Hopes and Daniel Christian both of whom have tasted success at the international level. Chris Lynn and Peter Forrest complete the batting line-up, while off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and Kemar Roach lead the attack.
The Titans will yet again look to the in-form AB de Villiers, who revels in the T20 format. Pacers Morne Morkel and Marchant de Lange spearhead the bowling attack, and given their ability to bowl in excess of 140kph, the onus will be on the two to help their team to first points.
Brisbane vs Titans, 4PM
Trinidad vs Hyderabad, 8PM
Live on Star Sports