THE GAME:
The game to be played at the beautiful PCA stadium in Mohali on the 27th of April will be between the Kings XI Punjab and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Kings XI finally return to their original home after being humiliated in the three games they featured in Pune, their adopted home. In their previous outing against the mighty Chennai Super Kings, the Kings XI could not even compete with dignity, leave alone winning the game. The Kings XI are having a serious batting issue which is not being dealt in the appropriate way. Changing the lineup time and again is only adding to the mess.
The Sunrisers on the other hand also come on the back of an away loss. They were in a reasonable position to beat the Mumbai Indians, but a collapse saw them choking. It was clearly mentioned in the pre tournament analysis that their Indian batsmen are not experienced enough and as expected, that is haunting them now.
PREVIOUS CLASHES:
The two sides first met in Sharjah in the 2014 leg. Batting first, the Punjabis mounted up a total of 193. It was made solely due to the unbelievable heroics of Glenn Maxwell, who scored 95 off just 43. It was a knock in which the doom for the bowlers was defined. An innings lasting 43 balls, but having 9 sixes just signifies that. The Sunrisers were never in the game and were blown away. The men from Hyderabad were all out for 121, thanks to the disciplined bowling from the Kings XI.
The second outing between these sides was a fabulous one. Batting first, the Sunrisers got to a steep total of 205. Naman Ojha played an absolute blinder and made 79 off just 36. What followed ahead though simply shook everyone! The Kings XI, led by contributions from Vohra, Saha and Maxwell chased the total down in just 18.4 overs. Even the lethal Dale Steyn was hammered and not spared. Saha was deservingly awarded the Man of the Match for his knock of 54 off just 26.
KEY PLAYERS:
SHAUN MARSH:
With openers Vijay and Sehwag going through horrid patches, the onus is on Marsh to deliver. Marsh has always been sensational for Punjab and the top order is entirely dependent on him. He is like a pillar of strength for the Kings XI. Marsh’s role will be to bat till the end and get the team to a respectable total.
MITCHELL JOHNSON:
Johnson was expected the lead the Kings XI bowling from the front. But as it turned out, he has rather been a burden for them. Johnson has been taken to the cleaners so far and the batsmen have feasted on him. His threat and menacing skills are nowhere to be seen. Johnson, at any cost must perform against the Sunrisers and his battle with the opening pair of David-Dhawan will massively influence the game.
DAVID WARNER:
If there was one wicket where Warner would have wanted to bat in India, it would surely be the strip at Mohali. Warner has been in terrific form off late and he has been the spine of the Sunrisers’ batting. With a lightening quick outfield and a great pitch, it is expected of Warner to notch a big score.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR:
The lad from Meerut has been phenomenal for the Hyderabad franchise till now. He is swinging the ball well in his opening spell. But it has been his yorker executing ability that has been the most impressive. Kumar has improved as a bowler to a great extent and he would want to back it up with another good show against the Kings XI.
PROBABLE XI:
KINGS XI PUNJAB:
It is a no brainer to get Glenn Maxwell back. He may be back at the expense of skipper George Bailey himself.
1. M. Vohra/ M. Vijay 2. V. Sehwag 3. S. Marsh 4. W. Saha 5. G. Maxwell / G. Bailey 6. D. Miller 7. A. Patel 8. K. Singh 9. M. Johnson 10. S. Sharma 11. A. Singh
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD:
1. D. Warner 2. S. Dhawan 3. KL Rahul 4. N. Ojha 5. R. Bopara 6. A. Reddy 7. K. Sharma 8. D. Steyn 9. B. Kumar 10. P. Kumar 11. T. Boult