Despite reaching the semifinals in 2008, Kings XI Punjab are still an underdog due to their overall poor performances. They meet Sunrisers Hyderabad in away match. The new IPL team from Hyderabad is still considered an underdog, despite having won 4 games out of 6 and joining the top list based on points.
2013 Performances
Both started their campaign on a promising note with win over une Warriors. While Kings XI thumped Warriors, Sunrisers could just manage to win by defending a very low total. Sunrisers have played two more matches than Kings XI. Both have lost two matches.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Performances
Kings XI Performances
Overall Performance
Kings XI has won 38 matches and lost 39 till now in IPL. Sunrisers have won 4 and lost 2 in their first edition.
Bowling Analysis
The match between these two underdogs is primarily between the bowlers. On one side is the hattrick man of IPL, Amit Mishra who is eyeing 3 more wickets to become the highest wicket taker in IPL moving ahead of Malinga, while on the other end is Piyush Chawla, another top 10 wicket taker of IPL, but who is struggling this season so far.
As a result Kings XI prefer to stack themselves with 4 seamers. Azhar Mahmood, Awana and Praveen Kumar have played all their games this season, while Harris was absent in the last game. Steyn, Ishant and Perera form the pace unit of Kings XI and have been comparatively more successful.
Steyn and Ishant have bowled the maximum dot balls in the tournament. Steyn has bowled 2 of the top three most economic spells of the season, but Praveen Kumar tops the list of most economic bowling in this season. But others have not been able to support him. As a result Kings XI have only two good results to show.
Batting Comparisons
In the contest of showcasing the best bowling unit, the team whose batsmen can survive better would win the game. A low scoring match should not come as a surprise, but the big question is whose batsmen can adapt better.
Except David Hussey none has shown any promise as batsman in Kings XI. Comparatively Sunrisers are in a better position as although none of their batsmen have shown consistency, but Cameron White, Perera and Hanuman Vihari have succeeded in different matches. Their tail appears stronger as Ashish Reddy and Amit Mishra has batted well for a tailender.
Who Will Win Today!!
Playing at Mohali, Sunrisers have won both the matches unlike their predecessor IPL team from Hyderabad, Deccan Chargers, against whom Kings XI had a dominating 7-3 record in 5 IPLs. But appears the home ground is favoring the new franchise.
Even in current edition Kings XI have won 2 and lost 2 so far. Sunrisers have also lost 2, but won 4 as they have played two more matches than Kings XI. Overall with better bowling, better batting and better tailender performance Sunrisers appear favorite.
Leave a Reply