IPL 9, Match 46 Preview: Kings XI Punjab fight for survival

The Kings XI Punjab have found a ray of hope with a crucial win over the Mumbai Indians in their last game. If they manage to win their remaining three games, they have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs. For the Sunrisers Hyderabad, they need to get one more win under their belt to qualify for the playoffs.

Kings XI Punjab put on a clinical display in the match against Mumbai Indians and thoroughly outplayed them in all departments. Riding on that confidence and the advantage of playing on the same venue will be going in Punjab’s way. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, lost against the Delhi Daredevils at home. They will be hoping to get that one important win under their belt to qualify for the playoffs.

Team News-

Kings XI Punjab:

Kings XI Punjab will not tinker with the winning combination. Skipper Murali Vijay is looking settled in the top order. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has come in good for the Kings middle order in the last few matches. Hashim Amla came in to the squad with a big name but hasn’t delivered yet. The bowling has been in top form with Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma bowling economically in the death overs. The overseas players Glenn Maxwell and David Miller need to step up and take responsibility at the crunch time.

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

Sunrisers Hyderabad look a settled unit and have found a stable eleven. The four overseas players have been performing well. The bowling unit has come up good with Mustafizur Rahman, Ashish Nehra and Bhuvneshwar Kumar being amongst the leading wicket takers. The middle-order seems to be the only concern for them at the moment. Deepak Hooda has got starts but failed to make any big contribution yet. Expect a big knock from Yuvraj Singh too, who has been getting into his groove now.

Probable XI-

Kings XI Punjab:

Murali Vijay (C), Hashim Amla, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, KC Cariappa.

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

David Warner (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Yuvraj Singh, Moises Henriques, Deepak Hooda, Naman Ojha (wk), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Barinder Sran, Mustafizur Rahman, Ashish Nehra.

StAttack:

1. David Warner’s strike-rate of 159.44 is the second best for a batsman in this season, after AB de Villiers, so far among players who have faced more than 200 balls.

2. The Kings XI Punjab have a bowling average of 65 in the powerplays this season.

3. Mustafizur Rahman has the economy of 6.53, the best among all the bowlers this season so far. For the Kings XI Punjab, Sandeep Sharma has the best economy, that of 7 per over.