IPL 2017: Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in mid-table mash up

Hyderabad: Both had begun their campaigns with a couple of emphatic wins before flunking to an equal number of damning defeats. Sitting at No.4 and 5 on the points table with only the net run rate separating them, there’s not much to choose between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab. In that sense, it will be a contest of equals even as the hosts have that defending champions tag to flaunt.

However, it’s the IPL and past reputations don’t count for much. The Sunrisers know that fully well, courtesy agonising away losses to the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders that have grounded the Eagles who had got off to a flying start at home.

Ditto with the Punjab Kings. They hammered the opposition in their home games before falling apart in the away ones, to KKR and Delhi Daredevils.

Having played four matches each, the teams are yet to settle down into proper rhythm, and combination, one would say ahead of their mid-table mash up at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Monday.

Given their record at the venue, the hosts hold the advantage and would once again look to the big bats to contribute the bulk of runs. Captain David Warner is second in the race for the Orange Cap and would be expected to lay a strong foundation in the company of Shikhar Dhawan, especially in the face of a lukewarm Punjab attack.

India star Yuvraj Singh looks in good touch going by the sweet timing and effortless boundaries he picked during his cameo against KKR on Friday. However, the non-internationals have been found wanting when it comes to contributions with the willow, a situation that adds extra burden on the biggies.

The bowling pack looks quite impressive with trumps in Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who has been twisting rival batsmen about, and Mustafizur Rahman who provides the cutting edge. Then there is Purple Cap holder Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who can swing the ball, the game. Not to forget the support cast of Moises Henriques, Ashish Nehra.

That should be quite a handful but with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Hashim Amla in their ranks, the Punjab Kings would fancy their chances of being the first to breach the champions’ fortress, should the hosts let their guard down.