Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Sunrisers Hyderabad travel to Mohali in a quest to overtake KKR and reclaim top position. They have been superb, and have marked themselves as one of the early favourites to take out the IPL 2018 title. Kings XI Punjab have also made a good start to IPL 2018, though not as good as SRH (especially when you get bowled out against RCB), but have won twice at home. This is another game that could go either way – the beauty of IPL 2018.
Kings XI Punjab’s addition of Chris Gayle, not only in the last game, but for such a low price in the IPL auction, was a masterstroke. After a shaky batting performance against RCB, it was pleasing to see KXIP’s top order in the runs, and they had enough in the tank to overcome CSK. However, they are not without concerns – Aaron Finch has made two golden ducks in a row, Yuvraj Singh continues to struggle, and the seamers can do a little better. Under the adventurous and wonderfully attacking captaincy of R Ashwin, expect these issues to be ironed out quickly.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been awesome. The IPL is widely known for such brilliant stroke making and big hits, but SRH’s success has been led by their bowlers. They boast the most complete attack in the league at the moment, helped by the addition of Shakib Al Hasan, who has delivered very handy overs throughout the innings. Shakib, as well as Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake and Siddarth Kaul represents a challenging night for KXIP’s batting, looking to keep the momentum going.
Key to a Kings XI Punjab win
 |
Key to a Sunrisers Hyderabad win
Predicted teams:
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-head: Matches 10, KXIP: 2, SRH: 8. At Mohali, it is 4-0 to SRH.
- SRH’s economy rate is an amazing 6.83, and concede a boundary only on 52.7% of deliveries, both the best of IPL 2018 so far.
- Shakib Al Hasan needs just one wicket to reach 300 wickets in T20s.
- KXIP have the best run rate in the powerplay this season. Can’t wait for the battle against SRH’s attack.
- Rashid Khan in all T20s since start of 2017: 99 wickets in 69 matches (econ. 5.60).
