The Stage is Set in Mullanpur
When: April 9, 19:30 hours
Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
A Closer Look at PBKS’s Journey
After a Shashank Singh-inspired jailbreak rejuvenated their campaign, PBKS is eyeing to capitalize on this newfound momentum. Despite a shaky start and inconsistency plaguing their lineup, the Kings have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their last outing against Gujarat Titans. Their battle is not just with their opponents but with their own demons, especially in bolstering a batting lineup that’s been lackluster at best. The key concern, however, remains their bowling in the death overs, with an economy that’s second-worst in the league during the critical 17-20 overs phase.
SRH: The Batting Powerhouse
Conversely, SRH has been turning heads, not with their traditional bowling strength but with a batting lineup that’s firing on all cylinders. Boasting the highest PowerPlay strike rate and posting the record highest IPL total against Mumbai Indians, SRH is a force to reckon with. Their well-rounded performance and a healthy net run rate place them as formidable contenders, looking to solidify their position against a struggling PBKS side.
Key Players to Watch
- Shashank Singh (PBKS): The man of the hour for PBKS, Shashank’s explosive batting at the end of innings could be a game-changer.
- Travis Head (SRH): A PowerPlay monster, Head’s ability to dominate early could set the tone for SRH.
Battle of Strategies
PBKS’s strategy might involve early spin against Travis Head, aiming to exploit his vulnerabilities, while SRH could leverage Pat Cummins against Jonny Bairstow, banking on historical matchups that favor the Australian pacer.
Did You Know?
- Both Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow have had stints with SRH, with a significant portion of their IPL runs coming for the Hyderabad team.
- Liam Livingstone is on the verge of an IPL milestone, needing just 89 more runs to hit the 1000 runs mark.
What They Said
“The hustle and bustle of IPL boils down to play, travel, play, travel. We have the chance to now play four games on a surface which we understand better than most. I hope it might give us advantage on the points table as well” – Brad Haddin, PBKS assistant coach.
Final Thoughts
As Mullanpur gears up for this electrifying encounter, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. With PBKS aiming to climb up from the middle of the points table and SRH looking to maintain their high-flying status, this match promises to be a cracker.
