KXIP vs SRH 2019: The Sportsrush presents before you three intriguing player battles ahead of the 22nd match of IPL 2019.
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Both the teams, KXIP and SRH, are at similar positions with 6 points from 5 matches. The Kings XI Punjab would fancy their chances of getting the better of SRH considering their recent unbeaten record at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
They have built a fortress and would like to defend it vehemently. They need to get back on the winning track after a close match against CSK where they ended on the wrong side.
Sunrisers need to sort out their middle order woes. They need some stability and sensible batting to overcome the Punjabi challenge at Mohali. While on paper, SRH are a stronger team, a collective team performance will be needed for SRH to start winning again.
Let us have a look at some of the battles within the battle:
Ravichandran Ashwin vs David Warner
Ashwin has been having a good season with the ball and has picked up a few important wickets. When the deadly David Warner comes to the crease, Ashwin would need to bowl some brilliant deliveries to get the Aussie’s wicket. With the ball turning away from Warner, he will need to come up with a plan to counter the offie’s deliveries.
Ashwin has been unorthodox and has tried various different actions and balls to confuse the batsmen. It will definitely be interesting to watch this game of cat and mouse.
Chris Gayle vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar
MS Dhoni commented after the last match that probably the only area where Gayle has some difficulty is playing off-spinners and swing bowlers. SRH will be depending on stand-in skipper, Bhuvneshwar Kumar to swing the ball enough to trouble Gayle.
His accuracy and swing during the powerplay might be the best way to send the universe Boss packing. It is crucial to stop the Gayle-storm before it begins else we all know that SRH would not have a chance to win this one.
Murugan Ashwin vs Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow has been in impeccable form and is the 2 nd highest run-scorer in this IPL only behind his partner in crime, Warner. However, if we look closely, in all the 5 matches that he has played, he was ultimately dismissed by a leg-spinner. The trick to stop the Bairstow show would be to bring in Murugan Ashwin early into the attack during the powerplay overs.
M. Ashwin has been in good form this IPL picking regular wickets and it would be interesting to see if Bairstow comes out with some strategy to tackle the leg spin conundrum.
