Kings XI Punjab will look to add to their comeback script when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Saturday’s second match in Dubai.
After a string of defeats, Kings XI have extraordinarily turned things around with three consecutive wins over the teams that occupy the top three spots in the standings — Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. But the job in no way is over for them as they fight to stay in the hunt for a berth in playoffs.
There is little to separate Kings XI and Sunrisers at this stage of the tournament. Both have 8 points after 10 games with Sunrisers having a better net run rate.
David Warner’s Sunrisers too are coming off a win, having got the better of Rajasthan Royals in their last match.
While Kings XI’s batting is in the safe hands of skipper KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran, Sunrisers will be happy with how Manish Pandey and Vijay Shankar batted in the last game. But if Sunrisers have to match Kings XI’s firepower, captain Warner and English wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow will need to get runs.
Kings XI’s bowling attack is led by Mohammed Shami, while Sunrisers benefited from Jason Holder’s fine performance with the ball in their last match.