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The Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been two of the best teams in the tournament so far and tonight they lock horns at Mohali. SRH have a 100% record, having won three out of three, while KXIP have won two out of three. The game tonight promises to be a tight contest between two teams who are in fine form.
The KXIP top order, fronted by KL Rahul, has done brilliantly so far and with the addition of Chris Gayle, it has perhaps acquired even more firepower. However, they will now come up against a team which relies heavily on the best bowling attack in the tournament; in SRH's three games so far, no team has been able to score 150 against them.
Hence, the head to head clashes of players from either side throw up some interesting possibilities. There are 5 key personnel battles that will decide the eventual outcome of this game and here is a closer look at each of them.
#5 Ravichandran Ashwin v Kane Williamson
The battle of the captains will not only be restricted to their tactical duel through the course of the match but also their head to head battle when Ravichandran Ashwin bowls to his opposite number Kane Williamson.
The SRH captain might not be the biggest power hitter in the business but he has the steadying presence that is often necessary and when shots have to be played, he can do so with aplomb. His half-century in the tense chase against Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous game is a case in point.
Ashwin, on the other hand, remains a crafty spinner and having added the traditional leg-break to his armory, remains a difficult bowler for many batsmen. He is KXIP’s highest wicket-taker with 4 scalps and has recorded an economy rate of just over 7, which is excellent.
Ashwin had the better of Williamson in the 2016 Test series and the two will battle it out tonight to decide the course of the SRH innings during the middle overs. It promises to be an absorbing battle.
#4 Mujeeb Ur Rahman v Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey was a big money buy from the SRH as they tried to shore up their middle order but the batsman has not yet got going and has scored only 15 runs in 3 innings so far. However, in tonight’s game against the KXIP, he would need to come good against opposition’s spin trio and in particular, against Afghan spin bowling prodigy Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
While Pandey has been struggling for form, Mujeeb has been in great bowling form and his season’s highlight remains the dismissal of Virat Kohli last week. Against a spin bowling attack like KXIP’s, Pandey would need to be at his best and despite his poor form so far, it is vital that he helps the team in navigating the tricks of the young Afghan. Needless to say, Pandey is perfectly capable of taking on Mujeeb and if he succeeds, then it could go a long way in turning the tables on KXIP.
#3 Mohit Sharma v Shikhar Dhawan
The SRH have been served well by the opening burst of boundaries that is provided by their Indian star Shikhar Dhawan and in 3 games so far, he is averaging 65 to go along with a strike rate of 141.30. Hence, the KXIP opening bowlers will have their task cut out tonight to either contain him or better still, get rid of him early on and the task would almost certainly fall on the shoulders of Mohit Sharma.
The fast bowler may have blown hot and cold after the first game against the Delhi Daredevils. However, Sharma held his nerve in the last over against a marauding MS Dhoni in the previous and that must have done wonders to his confidence. He can bowl quick when he wants to and can slip in a deceptively quick bouncer now and again. If Dhawan gets on top of him early, then KXIP might have a long evening on their hands.
#2 Chris Gayle v Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The big Jamaican had been written off at the start of this year’s IPL but he made a grand return in KXIP’s previous game against the Chennai Super Kings and it seemed that he started from where he left off. Chris Gayle has the ability to blow most bowling attacks away and if he can take on the might of the SRH bowling attack, then the game could be decided in a matter of few overs.
His 33 ball 63 was as brutal as any of his memorable innings from the previous years of the IPL. However, he would have to contend with a bowler who has almost always troubled him, in the form of SRH pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
In the two games he has played so far, Kumar has taken 4 wickets at an average of 14 and has recorded an economy rate of 7. His ability to move the ball either way, his accuracy and intelligence have seen him get the better of Gayle plenty of times.
However, in tonight’s game, whoever wins this particular battle will almost certainly provide his team with a huge boost.
#1 KL Rahul v Billy Stanlake
On one hand, it is the batsman who has completely decimate opening attacks over the course of his last three innings and on the other, it is the big Australian, who has proven to be one of the most awkward bowlers to face in the IPL so far. Indian star KL Rahul is in sensational hitting form and what makes him so dangerous is the fact that his hitting involves minimal slogging. In three games, he is averaging 45 and he has recorded a jaw-dropping strike rate of 190.90. Needless to say, he is KXIP’s most important batsman and considering his excellent technique, he has the wherewithal to take on the best bowling attack in the tournament.
However, the Australian fast bowler Billy Stanlake will almost certainly be a surprise for Rahul and the disconcerting bounce that the 6 ft 8 in bowler can extract from almost any pitch, makes him a tough bowler to face. It might end up being a stalemate, with Rahul deciding against blasting Stanlake and the latter failing to take his wicket. However, if the right-hander does decide to take him on, then it could make for an outstanding contest as the fast bowler is not going to take the beating lying down. It is a contest that could definitely decide the game.
