Photo credit: BCCI/IPLT20.comWith five wins on the board including an ongoing four-game winning streak, Kings XI Punjab find themselves in the topmost strata of the VIVO Indian Premier League standings table. Sunrisers Hyderabad aren’t far behind either, with four wins from six matches, so the contest in Hyderabad should be an interesting one.
Aamne Saamne
| Kings XI Punjab | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 3 wins | 8 wins |
KXIP has not had a jolly time against SRH at all over the past few seasons, but they fought their demons and took them down when they squared off at Mohali earlier this month. Looking for a double over the home side, KXIP will want to put forth a strong step again.
Batting de Baadshah
| Lokesh Rahul for KXIP | Kane Williamson for SRH |
| 236 runs | 259 runs |
With an average of 39.33 and a terrorizing strike rate of 180.15, Lokesh Rahul has been in prime form at the top of the order for KXIP. Having scored the fastest fifty of the IPL, Rahul has complemented every opener he has played with yet in Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle and even Aaron Finch.
Scoring runs at a brilliant average of 51.80, Kane Williamson is leading the race for the Orange Cap with his impressive performances at the top of the order for SRH. The batting order for his side hasn’t really stepped up, but he has been the glue holding it together with his three fifties.
Bowling de Kings
| Andrew Tye for KXIP | Siddharth Kaul for SRH |
| 9 wickets | 9 wickets |
Near the top of the charts in terms of most wickets picked, Andrew Tye has emerged as the strike bowler for KXIP, with 9 scalps at an average of 21.11. Despite bowling at crucial times in the innings, Tye has an economy rate of 7.91.
Siddharth Kaul is right up there with the likes of Tye as well, with best bowling figures of 3/23 and an economy rate of 7.16. The uncapped pacer has done well to partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and also stepped up in his absence.
Mudde ki Baat
The KXIP camp would be a happy one right now with all departments doing well for them. The batsmen and bowlers alike have won the side some crucial games on their own, and perhaps the only criticism could be that the side tends to lose its way in the middle overs at times while batting.
SRH have managed wins on the back of their bowling performances more often than not in this year’s campaign. But though they have the liberty of variety galore in their bowling attack, their batting performances have been questionable, with just Kane Williamson showing a semblance of consistency.
Yaad Rakhiyo
- Rashid Khan’s worst bowling figures came against KXIP – 1/55
- With 18 wickets, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the best bowler in this tie
- Inflicting 12 dismissals, David Miller has been the best fielder in this tie
- Chris Gayle has scored the highest ever individual score against SRH – 104*
From the Lion’s mouth
“Hyderabad has always been a lucky place for me. I’ve always made my comebacks from here.” - Yuvraj Singh, KXIP
Who could play? 🤔
KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, David Miller, Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Andrew Tye, Ankit Rajpoot, Barinder Sran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
As the old adage goes, if it ain't broke, don’t fix it. So, expect the KXIP side to remain vastly unchanged. Chris Gayle could come back into the side if he has recovered from a sore muscle, and assume his opening slot again.
NOTE: The aforementioned line-up is an educated guess at best, and the final decision rests with the captain and the team management depending on various external factors.
