IPL 2018 SRH vs KXIP: 5 player battles to look forward to between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab

The Kings XI Punjab are currently on a 4-match winnings streak and having won 5 of their 6 games, find themselves at 2nd spot in the table. The hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, stuttered a bit after their rousing start in the tournament but stormed back with an incredible come-from-behind victory against the Mumbai Indians in their previous game.

They are 3rd in the table and in tonight’s home game, they would most certainly want to avenge their defeat in Mohali in their first encounter this season. The outcome of the game will ultimately hinge on the some of the big individual battles that are going to be played out tonight and here is a look at 5 of those.

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#5 Yusuf Pathan v Mujeeb Ur Rahman

In a batting line-up that has often struggled, Yusuf Pathan remains one of the most important players in the SRH middle-order and recently he has discovered some hitting form as well. He is the team’s third highest run scorer and is averaging 31 with a strike rate of 131.91. Additionally, he can be a brutal hitter against spin bowling and that makes his contest against KXIP’s lead spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman a particularly interesting one.

Mujeeb has a variety of tricks in his repertoire and can turn the ball both ways, that has made him a difficult bowler to read for many batsmen. His has an outstanding economy rate of 6.91 and tonight he would come up against a batsman who would go after him from the start. The middle overs of the SRH innings could well be defined by this duel and whoever comes out on top would have a big say in the direction of the match.

#4 Shikhar Dhawan v Ankit Rajpoot

Shikhar Dhawan is SRH's premier batsman

The tall fast bowler came into the side two games ago and in his previous game against the Delhi Daredevils, Ankit Rajpoot delivered a superb performance to help KXIP defend a low score. He was the Man of the Match as well and tonight his performance is going to be crucial yet again when he comes up against SRH’s premier batsman Shikhar Dhawan. The fast bowler has recorded an economy rate of 7.85 so far and his pace and bounce is going to be a challenge for the opening batsman.

Dhawan started off the tournament in a canter but since then he has not got big scores and perhaps tonight’s game might just be the right time for him to get back to his best. The injury obviously hasn’t done him any favours. Yet, he is averaging 45 and striking at 136.36 so far. The opening battle with Rajpoot is going to be crucial and will almost certainly have a say on the SRH batting effort.

#3 Sandeep Sharma v Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle has been in dangerous form

There is some doubt about the availability of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and if he doesn’t play, then Sandeep Sharma will take his place in the side. The right arm medium-pace bowler is a worthy replacement for the India star. He can swing the ball either way and in addition to that, his accuracy can often stifle the best batsmen in the business. He might not have a lot of pace but he is a tricky bowler to face and his incredible economy rate of 4.85 in the 2 games so far is proof of his prowess as a superb T20 bowler.

Chris Gayle is expected to return tonight and considering the sort of carnage he unleashed in the previous game against the same opponents, Sharma will have to be at his best during the opening exchanges. The good news for SRH is that the bowler has an excellent record against the Jamaican and has taken his wicket on four occasions. He has bowled 47 deliveries to him and in those Gayle has only managed to score 55 runs. This is going to be an engrossing contest.

#2 Kane Williamson v Andrew Tye

Kane Williamson is the highest run-scorer for SRH

He might not be the biggest hitter in the game but Kane Williamson has quietly become the highest-scorer for SRH. The SRH captain has made 259 runs so far at an outstanding average of 51.80 and a strike rate of 132.14. He is one of the key batsmen in a batting line-up that has often struggled and if KXIP can get his wicket early, then there is every chance that SRH could be restricted to a below-par score. That being said, the Kiwi is one of the best batsmen in the world and once well-set he is quite difficult to dislodge.

Hence, it is perhaps necessary to try and take his wicket early on. Considering KXIP captain Ashwin’s penchant for unorthodox moves, it won’t be a surprise if he gives Andrew Tye the new ball. The Australian has an excellent record against Williamson and in fact, has dismissed him twice over the course of 9 deliveries. This Trans-Tasman battle could be a pivotal one in the game.

#1 Rashid Khan v KL Rahul

Rashid Khan has been SRH's go-to bowler

The previous game between these two sides saw SRH’s star leg-spinner being taken to the cleaners. He fared poorly in his next game against the Chennai Super Kings as well but then he made a slight adjustment to his length and bowled back of a length in his previous game against the Mumbai Indians. The results were devastating as he returned with figures of 2 for 11 in four overs and helped SRH defend a paltry score of 118.

So, it is a new version of Khan that KXIP’s batting star KL Rahul will come up against and it might not be as easy to take liberties against him tonight. The right-handed batsman has been in supreme form this year and has taken plenty of attacks apart in this year’s IPL so far. The contest between these two will be an important one and if Rahul can get on top of Rashid as soon as he comes on to bowl, then there is every chance of the SRH bowling attack falling apart like it did last time. He is averaging 39.33 and striking at just above 180. This is a contest that will almost definitely have a huge bearing on the ultimate outcome of the game.