After a tough assignment in Chennai, the Shers return home for another arduous battle, as they host last year’s finalists Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Monday. Both teams have started the season strong but were on the wrong end of the result in their previous match and will be looking to bounce back in this fixture.

Photo: BCCI/IPLT20.com

Aamne Saamne

Since 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad have gotten the better of the Shers on more occasions than not, but this same fixture last year was a particularly memorable one for Kings XI Punjab, as they emerged victorious by 15 runs thanks to a brilliant century from Chris Gayle.

Given that result and the team’s epic run of victories at home, the Shers will be feeling confident about their chances heading into this matchup.

Batting de Kings

Having been given the chance to bat higher up the order, Sarfaraz Khan has showcased his true talents and has been a silver lining in the middle order for the team. Sarfaraz will be high on confidence after his assured half century against Chennai Super Kings on a tough track in Chepauk and will be hoping to continue his good form against another strong bowling lineup.

Having missed out last season, David Warner is making up for lost time and has batted brilliantly so far this season for Sunrisers Hyderabad and currently leads the race for the Orange Cap. His opening partner, Johnny Bairstow has also enjoyed a magnificent start to his VIVO IPL stint with the Orange Army, and together, the pair set the record for most century stands in a row by an opening pair in the league.

Bowling de Badshah

Captain Ravichandran Ashwin has the led the bowling attack from the front and is the team’s leading wicket taker with six scalps in five matches. With his range of variations and his ability to bowl in the powerplay or the middle overs, Ashwin has been vital in the bowling department and has gotten crucial breakthroughs for the Shers in their time of need.

Despite bowling the majority of his spells in the first half of the innings, Afghanistan spinner Mohammed Nabi has been one of the most economical bowlers in the VIVO IPL so far. Nabi’s has picked up seven wickets in five matches at a scarcely believable average of 6.42. With his ability to cramp the batsman for room and induce poor shots, Nabi is one of the most dangerous bowlers plying their trade in the shortest format of the game.

Mudde Di Baat

While each of their openers have piled up over 200 runs this campaign, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s middle order still has a question mark looming over its head. After their openers hit the showers early in their previous match against Mumbai Indians, the rest of the team failed to conjure any sort of response, furthering the doubts about their form.

If Warner and Bairstow fail to fire in Mohali, the Orange Army could yet again find themselves in a spot of bother against the in-form home team.   

Yaad Rakhiyo

• Mandeep Singh hasn’t been dismissed even once in his five games this season.
• Mohammed Nabi’s economy of 3.75 is the best among all bowlers with two or more games under their belt in this campaign.
• Gayle’s 104 off 63 balls in this same fixture last season is the highest score by a KXIP batsman against an IPL team from Hyderabad and is also his highest score for the Shers.
• Sarfaraz’s 67 in the previous game against Chennai Super Kings was his highest score in the VIVO IPL.

Probable XI

Sam Curran, KL Rahul (wk), Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, David Miller, Mandeep Singh, Moises Henriques, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Murugan Ashwin, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammed Shami.

Curran's hard-hitting cameo against Delhi Capitals could earn him another opportunity at the top of the order with KL Rahul. Moises Henriques could make his season debut and give the team a handy sixth bowler and a quality batting option.

NOTE: The aforementioned line-up is an educated guess at best, and the final decision rests with the captain and the team management depending on various external factors.