Ahead of the IPL 2021 game between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, we analyse the key battles that could decide the game's fate.
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Punjab Kings (PBKS) will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 encounter in Chennai on Wednesday (April 21). Both teams have had similar starts to the tournament, although SRH have fared worse than PBKS. While the KL Rahul-led side have won one game, David Warner’s Orange Army are yet to get a notch in the ‘W’ column. Nevertheless, both will be keen to get a win and kickstart their flailing campaigns. PBKS and SRH are currently 7th and 8th, respectively, in the IPL 2021 standings. They would want to get closer to the play-off spots sooner rather than later.
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— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 20, 2021
Ahead of the IPL 2021 game between PBKS and SRH, we analyse the key battles that could decide the game’s fate.
Rahul is the batsman who shoulders most of the pressure for PBKS. Getting him early would be key to SRH’s hopes of getting a win. Bhuvneshwar is an excellent operator with the new ball and will relish the battle against Rahul, who won’t hesitate to go for a few big ones.
Like Rahul, Warner is key to SRH’s hopes with the bat. The veteran Australian can make or break his team’s innings depending on the kind of day he has. Shami, who is Punjab’s pace spearhead, will be the man the team turns to to dismiss Warner. Should he fail to do so, PBKS’ bowlers are in for a long evening.
Gayle has taken up an unfamiliar middle-order role for PBKS, but he has been effective in it. But if he is to make the most of his time in the middle, he will have to navigate Natarajan, whether early or in the death overs. The left-arm seamer can bowl yorkers for fun and might well be the undoing of the ‘Universe Boss’.
Bairstow is another who has anchored the responsibility for scoring the bulk of SRH’s runs. Getting him early is as important as getting Warner. Aussie pacer Richardson, whose start to the season has been mixed, will be keen to get the big scalp of the English batsmen early on and aid the team’s cause.
Pooran’s big-hitting ability is unquestionable; however, so is the capability of Rashid to make runs dry up. The Afghanistan leg-spinner can also snare wickets at will, meaning his battle against the lanky West Indian batsman will be one to view with massive anticipation.
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