Punjab Kings will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021 in a clash that could determine which team languishes at the bottom of the table.
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Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are two teams that are struggling in the IPL 2021. KL Rahul’s team managed to win their first game by four runs but have been beaten convincingly in their next two. Against Chennai Super Kings, they lost by six wickets. It was the bowling that was put under the pump when Delhi Capitals chased down a target close to 200 thanks to Shikhar Dhawan’s 92.Â
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad has had its worst start in IPL history. They have lost three games on the trot for the first time, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. Sunrisers Hyderabad is plagued by issues related to batting. In the previous game, David Warner pulled off a surprise with four changes.
Ahead of the clash between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, here is a look at the predicted starting line-ups.Â
Opening combination: David Warner and Jonny Bairstow are the most successful opening combination. They have shown it on numerous occasions. Tinkering with the duo would put further pressure on Sunrisers Hyderabad
Middle order: If Kane Williamson is fit, he slots back in. Williamson, along with Manish Pandey and Vijay Shankar, can be stable. However, they lack the acceleration that is required. Shankar and Pandey have struggled in the last couple of seasons.
Lower middle order: Abdul Samad can be a proven finisher. However, what if they need the insurance of Jason Holder? If Holder plays, then either Williamson or Bairstow will have to sit out. Williamson, Holder and Warner can only play because Rashid Khan is an automatic choice. In case Holder cannot get in, then they may have to persist with Abhishek Sharma.
Bowlers: Getting an Mujeeb Ur Rahman was a ply which did not work. Like-for-like spinners have not yielded success. Instead, Sunrisers Hyderabad could play Shahbaz Nadeem and get in the likes of T Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Siddarth Kaul might be a good addition with the ball as he has had success in the death overs, especially 2018.
David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul
Openers: Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul have been solid as an opening pair. However, with Rahul not scoring at an aggressive rate, it probably makes sense for Chris Gayle to become the opener. In the period he was there for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gayle was the ultimate batsmen due to the opening position.
Middle order: If Gayle is in the middle order, then the batting still remains solid. Shahrukh Khan, Deepak Hooda and Nicholas Pooran make up a solid core of the lower-middle order. If they can fire in unison, then this batting unit is the most potent in the Indian Premier League.
Bowling: If Punjab Kings want to have the buffer of a batting and bowling, then they may try getting Moises Henriques in place of Riley Meredith. The bowling is the only worry for Punjab Kings, having leaked over and close to 200 runs in two out of the three games. If they can get Murugan Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi, then their bowling can be potent.
KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Jhye Richardson, Arshdeep Singh
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