Punjab Kings kick-started their Indian Premier League (IPL) with a four-run win over Rajasthan Royals. But as the count of the games went on, KL Rahul’s side drifted away. Their drubbing against Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals pushed them down the points table with a run rate of -0.967.
Punjab’s next fixture is against Sunrisers Hyderabad at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on 21st April. SRH are the only side waiting to spin and win a match in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. Orange Army have not won a single match so far. However, in all their three matches they have been competitive but failed to cross the finishing line. Their middle-order collapses in all three games have shoved them out of the matches. David Warner and co have faced Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bangalore so far.
Can Sunrisers Hyderabad arrest their losing streak?
Chennai’s pitch has been good for the spinners to spin a web around the batters. Chasing has been a nightmare for any team. Hyderabad has Rashid Khan on their side; he has picked up wickets regularly, in three matches, he has four scalps. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a great hand for SRH. For PBKS, Arshdeep Singh has been the most successful bowler so far. In three matches, he has bagged five wickets. The left-arm bowler has shown maturity during the death overs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have one of the best opening pairs in the IPL. Jonny Bairstow and Warner sail with each other immaculately and cement great stands. Bairstow played the role of a middle-order in the first two games, but Wriddhiman Saha’s failure to contribute at the top of the order made Bairstow’s way to open the innings for SRH. In three games, Bairstow has scored a 50 in the first one, smashed 43 off 22 in the third fixture. Warner scored a half-century in the second game. Manish Pandey tried to conceal their lower-order from the exposure, but the failure of their lower-order never docked the ship home.
Having KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal as the openers, Punjab can aim for big scores. Shahrukh Khan and Deepak Hooda have contributed well with the bat. PKBS have amassed big totals on the board in several instances. But defending the runs nudged them in some instances.
IPL 2021: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from 3:30 PM IST
Match Prediction – Who will win the match?
Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have clashed against each other in 16 games with Hyderabad winnings on 11 occasions and Punjab emerged victorious in 5 games. They have played three games at neutral venues, and the KL Rahul-led side thrashed SRH in the two of them.
Considering their head-to-head records, and as it will be Punjab’s first game at Chepauk and fourth for the Orange Army, Sunrisers Hyderabad will start the encounter as the favourites. David Warner’s side will look forward to notching up their maiden victory.
