Author: WebDesk

After reaching the playoffs in five straight seasons between 2016 and 2020, Hyderabad have missed out on the final stages of the tournament in the last two campaigns. The eighth-place finish in 2022 prompted something of an overhaul, with Kane Williamson released and Aiden Markram appointed captain. But Markram won’t be around as Sunrisers start their season. He, along with Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen, his South African teammates, will join up with the squad only next week after completing their international commitments. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a stalwart of Hyderabad’s teams for a decade, will lead in Markram’s absence, but…

By Revsportz Editorial Given how both these teams have been firmly rooted in mid-table in recent seasons, it can be easy to forget that they contested the 2014 final, with Manish Pandey’s thrilling 94 clinching the title for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after Wriddhiman Saha’s stunning 55-ball 115 not out had set them an imposing target of 200. That was part of a golden period for KKR, who reached the playoffs six times between 2011 and 2018. Punjab haven’t even made the playoffs since, finishing higher than 6th just once. KKR reached the 2021 final on the…