PBKS vs SRH IPL 2024 Match Preview: Punjab Kings look for home comfort in mid-table battle with Sunrisers Hyderabad

PBKS vs SRH IPL 2024: Punjab seeks momentum, Hyderabad awaits

Punjab would hope the surprise win over Gujarat Titans is the start of a winning run that will gather pace if they defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Mullanpur. The Kings snatched victory from the jaws of defeat last week against GT and barely avoided a hat-trick of losses, which would have proved catastrophic in their bid to reach playoffs.

As things stand now, both PBKS and SRH head into the match with two wins and two losses from their four matches to be tied with two other teams in the middle with four points.

PBKS wary of unpredictable SRH

SRH have been the most unpredictable side in IPL 2024 with their batting might lighting up the tournament with some breathtaking performances. The SRH top-order is firing on all cylinders and that’s one of the reasons why they registered the highest team total in the history of the IPL against Mumbai Indians.

The 2016 champions also registered a comfortable six-wicket win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Friday. SRH have benefited greatly from the ultra-aggressive approach of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram.

PBKS eye improved batting display

Meanwhile, PBKS have failed to take advantage of their batting firepower despite the presence of off Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran. Barring Dhawan, no other big-name player has found consistency in their game.

Punjab's home grown talent –Prabhsimran Singh and Jitesh Sharma – must rise to the occasion just like Shashank Singh did against the Titans. The player, who signing in the IPL 2024 auction created a lot of confusion, produced a remarkable performance to take his team over the line with his highest-ever T20 score - 61 runs from 29 balls.

Both teams facing bowling woes

While Sunrisers have an edge in terms of batting form, the bowling department remains a concern for both teams. PBKS have struggled to stop the flow of runs in the dying stages whereas Sunrisers have leaked runs with the new ball.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has taken six wickets, but he has found little support from the Indian pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel. Seasoned leg-spinner Rahul Chahar should take a leaf out of the book of Harpreet Brar, who has bowled superbly so far.

Hyderabad, on the other hand, have been marred by the inconsistency of an experienced trio of Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have been expensive, to say the least.

T Natarajan has claimed four wickets so far while skipper Pat Cummins has bagged five wickets in four games. Both the bowlers have looked good but need consistent support from the others.

Head to head:

Hyderabad and Punjab have clashed in 21 matches in IPL. SRH hold a clear edgein Head-to-Head meetings with 14 wins where as PBKS have come out victorious on seven occasions.

Squads:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Jaydev Unadkat, Jhatavedh Subramanyan, T Natarajan, Mayank Markande, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Pat Cummins (c), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh, Glenn Phillips,Nitish Reddy, Marco Jansen, Abhishek Sharma, Upendra Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Abdul Samad, Akash Maharaj Singh, Wanindu Hasaranga, Umran Malik.

Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Sikandar Raza, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Shivam Singh, Harshal Patel, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Shashank Singh, Tanay Thyagarajann, Prince Choudhary, Rilee Rossouw.

Match starts at 7.30 PM IST.