IPL 2016, KXIP vs SRH Match 46 Preview: Can the Sunrisers maintain their position at the top of the points table?
The Sunrisers Hyderabad were beaten in their previous game by the Delhi Daredevils by 7 wickets as their bowlers had an off day. The Sunrisers have gathered 14 points already in 11 matches and they will be hoping to seal their spot in the playoffs with a win against the Kings XI Punjab. The Kings XI Punjab won their previous match in style against the Mumbai Indians as they won by 7 wickets with 3 overs to spare. The Kings XI will want to win their remaining games and finish in a position higher than they did in the 2015 edition.
The VIVO IPL 2016 match will feature the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kings XI Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
Match Date and Time: 15 May 2016, 1600 hours IST.
Match Venue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.
Weather:
Temperature: Max 36°C, Min 33°C
Humidity: Max 54%
Wind: 15 km per hour
Pitch Report: Par-score 160. Good batting wicket with some turn for the spinners.
In-Depth Analysis:
The Kings XI Punjab have started to gel as a team and they have shown some progress since the start of the tournament. The batting department has taken the responsibility to stay at the crease and not throw their wickets away. Murali Vijay has been the star batsman for the Kings XI in this season and he guided the Kings XI to a victory against the Mumbai Indians. Vijay has four fifties in this season so far with a best of 89.
Glenn Maxwell made his return to the squad but still failed to shine with the bat. The Australian is known for hitting big and innovative shots with ease but he has failed to show his lethal potential with the bat in this season. Maxwell has scored 179 runs in 11 innings with 2 fifties to his name.
Marcus Stoinis has been the breath of fresh air needed for the Kings XI and he has filled the void in the batting and the bowling department. Stoinis has bagged 8 wickets in just 6 matches for the Kings XI.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have been riding high on David Warner’s brilliant form with the bat. Warner has scored 515 runs in 11 innings so far, registering 5 fifties and a highscore of 92 against the Royal Challenegers Bangalore. Warner’s partnership with the Shikhar Dhawan has been important for the Sunrisers to build a platform for the middle order. The Middle order comprising of Kane Williamson, Yuvraj Singh and Naman Ojha hasn’t quite been fruitful for the Sunrisers as they have collapsed on a number of occasions in this season. Yujraj Singh is just coming off an injury but he will need to come good for the Sunrisers in the coming matches.
The bowling department has been the main strength for the Sunrisers with the experienced Ashish Nehra leading the attack alongside Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman. The Kings XI Punjab will need to come up with a plan to face the deadly bowling attack of the Sunrisers to win this one,