Kings XI Punjab travel to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the VIVO Indian Premier League. With both teams tied at 10 points apiece, a win away from home is vital for the Shers to pull away from the tight midfield pack in their quest for the playoff positions.  

Photo: SPORTZPICS

Aamne Saamne

The hosts may have the upper hand when it comes to the head-to-head record, it was Kings XI Punjab who emerged victorious in the reverse fixture in Mohali.

The visitors are also unaffected by the exodus of English players from the IPL; and play their strongest side come Monday while Sunrisers have to find a replacement for opening batsman Jonny Bairstow.

Batting de Kings

David Warner has been in impeccable form this season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, having scored seven fifties and a century in his 11 games thus far. He, alongside Englishman Jonny Bairstow have forged a strong partnership this season which has been the winning combination for the Sunrisers. If KXIP are to win away from home on Monday, it is imperative they restrict David Warner’s carnage to a minimum in order to expose their underperforming middle-order.

The Shers though have an explosive southpaw opener of their own in Chris Gayle. Since his return to the West Indies squad in February, the Universe Boss has been in spectacular form and finds himself third in the race for the 2019 Orange Cap. He has consistently given good starts and has often had the telling impact in games; and KXIP would be banking on him to fire in Hyderabad.

Bowling de Baadshah

Afghan spinner Rashid Khan has once again been consistent with the ball for Sunrisers Hyderabad, having amassed 11 wickets thus far with a solid economy rate of 6.27. He was instrumental in their home win over Chennai Super Kings, picking up 2/17, and would have to bowl at his best to dismantle the KXIP top three to give Sunrisers a shot at winning.

For KXIP, seamer Mohammed Shami has been their talisman this year. He has been a tad expensive at times, but his ability to bowl consistent yorkers at the death has been a strong asset for the Shers. Going into a pressure game in Hyderabad, the 29-year-old’s experience will go a long way to helping them secure those vital two points.

Mudde di Baat

As the VIVO Indian Premier League reaches its final week for the group stages, the competition intensifies for those playoff places. With both these sides stuck at 10 points at the moment, the clash on Monday is extremely crucial as the victor could solidify their claim for a top four finish while the loser could find themselves eliminated.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Achilles heel this season has been their middle-order; and despite Manish Pandey finding some form in the recent couple of games, they could be exposed if their openers fall cheaply. If KXIP manage to achieve that, winning this game and qualifying further becomes a tad easier because their final two games are at Mohali, a ground where they’ve lost just once since 2018.

Yaad Rakhiyo

• Chris Gayle scored his only century for KXIP against Sunrisers Hyderabad last season.
• Mohammed Shami has already picked up more wickets this season than in his last three years combined.
• This is the first time that both KXIP openers in excess of 400 runs.

Probable XI

Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Prabhsimran Singh, David Miller, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin.

Considering the importance of this clash, the team management wouldn’t want to tinker much with the top order or the spin department. Youngster Prabhsimran Simran and Nicholas Pooran could be used to thwart the Sunrisers spinners, who have been their strongest link in bowling, while Arshdeep Singh, who had a good debut a little more than a week ago, could replace Ankit Rajpoot.