SRH can reach a maximum of 17 points if they get the better of PBKS

May 19, 2024 15:10

Punjab Kings' captain Jitesh Sharma has won the toss and elected to bat against SunRisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Sunday.

If SRH lose or there is no result today, RR will claim the second spot irrespective of how they go in their final league game later tonight.

Playing XIs:

SRH: Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Rahul Tripathi, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh, Pat Cummins(c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma(w/c), Ashutosh Sharma, Shivam Singh, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar

High on confidence after making their first playoffs in three years, Sunrisers Hyderabad will aim for a second-place finish in the IPL points table when they take on Punjab Kings in their final league game in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had finished in the bottom rung in each of the last three editions of the IPL, came out all guns blazing this year to establish themselves as firm contenders for the title with their ultra-aggressive batting approach and skilful bowling.

The Pat Cummins-led side made it to the final-four a few nights back after their clash against Gujarat Titans at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was washed out.

Placed at the third spot with 15 points from 13 matches, SRH can reach a maximum of 17 points if they get the better of PBKS on Sunday.

However, in their last completed contest, SRH had pulverised Lucknow Super Giants by 10 wickets with their explosive opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma delivering the goods.

With 533 runs in 11 matches and the best strike rate of 201.89 among batters, Head is in pursuit of the Orange Cap with only Virat Kohli (661 runs) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (583 runs) ahead of him.

For SRH, it is important that other batters also find form as they seem to be relying heavily on their openers.

For PBKS, it will be an opportunity to bow out on a high after failing to make it to the final four again.

PBKS have lost the services of their England players, including stand-in skipper Sam Curran, who had played a decisive role in their five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.

With Curran returning home for national duty, India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will lead Punjab Kings in their final match of the season. It could be an opportunity for Jitesh to make an impression on the franchises, who are set for a mega auction before next year's IPL.

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