By Bharath Ramaraj
Overview
When the IPL 2023 began, Sunrisers Hyderabad looked like a good side on paper and were even tipped to be one of the strong contenders to lift the trophy. However, after playing a couple of games, Hyderabad are occupying the bottom rungs of the points table without a win against their name.
Ahead of the game against Punjab Kings, the Aiden Markram-led side is in search of a spark of inspiration from somewhere to make a comeback in the tournament. None of the batters have scored a 50 so far, with Rahul Tripathi’s rather slow-moving 34 versus Lucknow Super Giants their highest score till now. Hyderabad desperately need the likes of Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal and Markram himself to make useful contributions. On the bowling side of things, the trio of Adil Rashid, T Natarajan and Fazalhaq Farooqi have fired in fits and starts but the onus would be on one of the bowlers to take responsibility and run through the opposition.
Hyderabad’s tactics too have come under scrutiny. Anmolpreet Singh has never kept wickets for Punjab in T20s, but was asked to take over the gloves against Lucknow. In that game, on a wicket that clearly assisted the spinners, Hyderabad also opted for a seamer over a spinner as the Impact Player. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings are sitting pretty at No.4 on the points table with two wins from two matches. There was a concern or two over Shikhar Dhawan not being able to press the accelerator. But to his credit, he found the right gears in the game against Rajasthan Royals. The Punjab camp would also be delighted with Prabhsimran Singh’s form, especially his stroke-filled 60 in the last game.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s fitness also was a worry for the think-tank after Dhawan smacked a shot down the track that hit his forearm at the bowler’s end. Rajapaksa, though, later tweeted: “The X-rays have cleared me of any broken bones/fractures! Plenty of ice needed but I’m doing fine.”
One of the highlights of Punjab’s gritty win against Rajasthan was how Nathan Ellis employed the cross-seam delivery in dewy conditions and bagged a four-for. Sam Curran also put on a gutsy show in the final over. The think-tank would again be banking on Ellis, Curran and Arshdeep Singh’s bowling smarts to keep Hyderabad’s much-vaunted middle order in check. With Ellis among the wickets, Kagiso Rabada might have to sit out for one more game.
Venue and Time
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. 7.30 PM local
Expected conditions and toss
With the match starting at 7.30 PM, we could witness a good pitch for batting. The team winning the toss is again set to bowl.
Head-to-Head
Hyderabad hold a 13-7 win-loss advantage over their opponent.
Possible XIs and Impact Player Watch
Abhishek Sharma could make it to the playing XI as Hyderabad have a slew of right-handers. If the track is on the slower side, the franchise would be better off picking Mayank Markande or Akeal Hosein as the Impact Player. On the other hand, Punjab could look at Rishi Dhawan’s all-round abilities.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Mayank Agarwal, Anmolpeeet Singh/Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (C), Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Washington Sundar, Adil Rashid, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, T Natarajan.
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Shikhar Dhawan (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis.