SRH vs KXIP Preview: The Sportsrush presents before you full preview of the 48th match of IPL 2019 between Hyderabad and Punjab.
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The Sunrisers take on the Kings XI in a very interesting clash at Hyderabad on Monday. Both the teams are reeling on 10 points from 11 matches. Whoever wins this one will take a significant step towards the playoffs while the losing team will face a Herculean mountain to overcome. They are teams with similar fortunes and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
FORM GUIDE
The Sunrisers have lost 2 of their last 3 matches and have lost 2 in a row now. They need to desperately arrest the slide. For that, Williamson needs to find some form along with the middle order batsmen. It will also be expected that the bowlers show why they are the best attack in the IPL.
Kings XI Punjab are in an exactly similar position having lost 2 of their last 3 matches. They would also need to break their 2 match losing streak. Their middle order also needs to fire along with their bowlers. Over-dependence on Gayle and Rahul would cost them big time.
ALSO READ: Head-to-Head | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2019
TEAM CHANGES
SRH might look to make a few changes in the team to find the right combination after the departure of Bairstow. Sidharth Kaul, who was given another opportunity, might lose his place after giving away 48 runs in 4 overs. T. Natarajan or Basil Thampi might come into the squad. Also, Shakib Al Hasan is likely to be dropped in favour of Mohammad Nabi who has been more impact-generating.
Kings XI need to sort out their bowling woes. The batting looks settled and is likely to be unchanged. The bowlers have been expensive KXIP might be tempted to bring in a spinner like Harpreet Brar on a pitch like the one at Hyderabad.
Ankit Rajpoot would miss out in that case. If Mujeeb is fit, he would walk back into the team in place of Hardus Viljoen.
PITCH AND WEATHER PREDICTION
With an average score of just 153 in this venue, we can expect a low scoring game wherein even 160 might prove to be a winning total. It has been slow at times and very quick at time. The unpredictable nature of the pitch makes it difficult to understand what would be a safe score. However, spinners would derive some turn out of this pitch.
With the temperature stagnating around 33°C, Hyderabad should be a little uncomfortable to play in. The conditions will be overcast and that would mean very little chance of having any dew. There is a low chance of rainfall and the humidity at 33% should not affect the players.
TOSS PREDICTION
The team winning the toss must look to bat second and chase down the score since it will be difficult to estimate a safe score on this track.
