Fair to say that two of the best teams in Betway SA20 are competing in the tournament finals. There isn’t much gap to fill or any department lacking for both teams.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, who finished at the top of the table with four consecutive wins, got the better of Durban Super Giants in the first qualifier as they defended 159 against the strong batting lineup of the Giants.
But the Giants didn’t appear as if they wouldn’t make it to the finals. They have a great captain; what can we say about Heinrich Klaasen, a man who can turn the match in just 4-5 overs. So there will be nerves in the Sunrisers’ camp on how to stop this relentless force.
They have successfully kept Klaasen silent on previous occasions when these two teams met, but everyone knows his capabilities and the destructive potential of his bat.
Capetown has not been an easy track to bat on. There is enough extra bounce for bowlers to exploit, and in that regard, both teams stand neck and neck.
Last time the Giants bowled on this track, they were a bit too full, but having pacers like Reece Topley and Junior Dala, the Giants will feel that if they can adjust to these conditions, it will definitely be a competitive match.
For the Sunrisers, there aren’t many concerns. Daniel Worrall, Patrick Kruger, and Ottniel Baartman have all been consistent and disciplined, getting wickets and dominating batters in the game.
There have been multiple four-wicket hauls for these outstanding pace bowlers, and then there is Marco Jansen, who is just so unpredictable. On his day, he can be the match winner with bat, ball, and fielding.
Who can equalize that sort of role for the Giants? Frankly, it will be a bold prediction, but if Keshav Maharaj can utilize Dwaine Pretorius more effectively, then he can definitely become the match winner.
He is such a player who rises in moments of crisis for his team. First of all, the Giants will hope that the moment of crisis doesn’t arrive, but the pressure of the final itself is a big challenge besides playing the match.
Aiden Markram can do no wrong. A fantastic leader and an outstanding batter. His combination in the middle order with Tristan Stubbs is lethal because both are profoundly able batters who can absorb pressure, build an innings, and also unleash the power game at the back end of the match.
Who is stronger to win SA20 Finals Sunrisers or Super Giants?
Sunrisers have an edge because they have a number of match winners. They know how to chase, they know how to post match-winning totals, and that’s not all; Sunrisers’ fielders are incredibly good at creating dismissals out of the smallest opportunities.
The Giants will need to look beyond Klaasen. At its best, the match can become Sunrisers vs Heinrich Klaasen, but going into the finals, the Giants will hope for a collective contribution.
