IPL 2017: Kings XI Punjab v Sunrisers Hyderabad, Game 33– Match Result Predictions

Kings XI Punjab will be playing their first actual home game at the PCA Stadium in Mohali tomorrow against the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad and they will definitely look to get back to winning ways. They began with two comprehensive victories in the first two matches but then lost 3 on a trot which derailed their campaign to a certain extent.

It has been a topsy-turvy season for them as they again returned to winning ways with the victory against the Gujarat Lions. It was a thoroughly professional performance and it showed yet again what the Punjab boys were capable of. Glenn Maxwell began with two match winnings innings but off late he hasn’t played the captain’s knock.

Marcus Stoinis might make way for Darren Sammy who recently joined the squad. His all-round abilities and experience will surely play a pivotal role for Punjab. In the bowling department, KC Cariappa was the pick of the bowlers the other day while the pacers also bowled decently. It has been an all Indian bowling attack for the Punjab and they are seriously missing an experienced foreign recruit there.

On the hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad is also having an indifferent form. After consecutive victories, they lost two on a trot and again came to winning ways with consecutive victories. They have arguably been the best bowling side in the tournament and with Bhuvneshwar Kumar going great guns with 16 wickets in the tournament already, SRH will have a clear edge tomorrow.

Afghan leggie Rashid Khan has been sensational so far and the top class batsmen have failed to pick his wrong uns. He has gone for some runs of late but has provided David Warner with the much-needed wickets at crucial junctures of the game. The veteran Ashish Nehra who missed a couple of matches might make a return while Mohammed Nabi might also make a comeback in place of Ben Cutting but given Cutting’s ability to hit the big shots on a consistent basis, the Afghan offie might be overlooked.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: SRH will win the toss

Toss Prediction: SRH choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 165-175

2nd innings Prediction: SRH will win by 6 wickets (with 7 balls to spare)

Scenario 2: KXIP will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KXIP choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 170-180

2nd innings Prediction: KXIP will win by 4 wickets (with a delivery to spare)

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –9, SRH Won – 7, KXIP Won – 2

This will be the first match in Mohali in this tournament but given its tradition, it is expected to be a high-scoring venue. SRH have a clear edge on KXIP in the head to head department with 7 wins from 9 outings. The defending champions have an edge but I feel team batting first will come triumphant in the encounter.

Team Combinations

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Ashish Nehra might be recalled but the remaining XI is expected to remain the same. Ben Cutting is a brilliant all-rounder and might be preferred over Mohammad Nabi. The bowling department has been a class act and will look to dominate Punjab tomorrow.

Predicted XI: David Warner (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, Yuvraj Singh, Ben Cutting, Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha (wk), Bipul Sharma, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra.

Kings XI Punjab

Marcus Stoinis might make way for Darren Sammy who recently joined the squad. It has been an all Indian pace attack which has not really helped them as they have been the most expensive team in the back end of an innings.

Predicted XI:  Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (c), Darren Sammy, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, KC Cariappa, T Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma

It will be a close game but I personally feel the team batting feel will have an advantage.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.