Last Updated on 6 years ago by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 43: KXIP vs SRH Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KXIP vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

How quickly things can change. Three games ago, Kings XI Punjab were stuck on the bottom of the IPL 2020 points table, with seemingly no way back. Along with a 69-run thumping at the hands of today’s opponents, KXIP blew three victories in their first seven games, and it looked like it would be another season of disappointment.

Fast forward a week-and-a-half later, and KXIP could find themselves in the top four if they win here and KKR lose against Delhi Capitals. The addition of Chris Gayle has transformed KXIP’s fortunes, with the T20 legend providing the all-important stability after the openers, which was missing earlier in the season. So, can KXIP hold their nerve with the playoffs a possibility?

So, strap yourselves in, because Sunrisers Hyderabad could also find themselves in the top four by the end of the day. Their win last time out against Rajasthan Royals was as encouraging as it was dominant, given that both David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, who are crucial to SRH’s hopes, failed in the chase of 150+. Manish Pandey again highlighted his talent, while Vijay Shankar spent important time at the crease.

Can SRH keep KXIP’s lineup quiet and outperform them with the bat themselves?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Jonny Bairstow smashed 97 (55) vs KXIP 16 days ago at Dubai. SRH will be hoping he can produce something similar today in a crunch game.
• David Warner has the most runs in SRH vs KXIP matches, with 626 at a superb average of 69.56. He scored 52 (44) against KXIP earlier this season.
• KL Rahul continues to hold the 2020 Orange Cap (540 runs, avg. 67.50, SR 135.67), but needs to be wary of the fast-approaching Shikhar Dhawan. Despite the fact he scored just 11 (16) vs SRH earlier this season, he still possesses a good record for KXIP against SRH: 5 inns, 211 runs, avg. 52.75.
• Will Mayank Agarwal return to his best form today after scores of 11 and 5 in his last two games? With Chris Gayle in the lineup, Agarwal and Rahul can play with freedom. The “Universe Boss” has struck 53 (45), 24 (21) and 29 (13) in his three games in IPL 2020 so far.
• Manish Pandey is coming off a dominant 89* (44) last game vs RR. When playing for SRH, Pandey has scored 167 runs in five matches vs KXIP (avg. 41.75).
• Nicholas Pooran was outstanding against SRH earlier this season. He played the lone hand (77 off 37 balls) in a team score of 132.
• Is this the game where Glenn Maxwell takes off? The Aussie all-rounder has had a sub-par tournament, but his 32 (24) last game vs DC might spark some renewed form.
• It was a great start for Jason Holder in IPL 2020. He marked the start of his campaign by taking 3/33 last game vs RR.
• Mohammed Shami is having a good tournament with the ball, headlined by his ability to defend five runs in the first Super Over against Mumbai Indians last weekend. The Indian seamer has 16 wickets in 10 matches this season.
• Rashid Khan took 3/12 vs KXIP earlier this season, part of an incredible 14 wickets in seven games against KXIP. The Afghan star is still conceding below six runs an over (5.47) in IPL 2020, with 12 wickets in 10 matches.
• Ravi Bishnoi has bowled well at Dubai this season: 1/22, 3/32, 0/33, 3/29 (vs SRH), 1/12, 0/24.
• Can yorker specialist T Natarajan bounce back after a poor outing last game vs RR (0/42)?

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-Head: Matches 15, KXIP 4, SRH 11.
• Sunrisers Hyderabad (201/6) thrashed Kings XI Punjab (132) on October 8 at Dubai. However, KXIP look to have turned a corner.
• Should SRH keep Rashid Khan away from Chris Gayle? Gayle averages 57.7 and strikes at 201 against legspin in IPL. But, Rashid has dismissed three times in 45 balls in T20s, although he has gone for 79 runs. Interesting battle.
• SRH could look at employing Rashid Khan early to KL Rahul. Rashid has dismissed Rahul twice in four T20s, conceding just 16 runs in 24 balls in the process.
• Nicholas Pooran has hit the most sixes so far in IPL 2020 (22).

Possible Playing 11

Kings XI Punjab: 1. KL Rahul (c & wk), 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Deepak Hooda, 7. James Neesham, 8. M Ashwin, 9. Ravi Bishnoi, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Arshdeep Singh

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Manish Pandey, 4. Vijay Shankar, 5. Priyam Garg, 6. Abdul Samad, 7. Jason Holder, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Shahbaz Nadeem, 10. Sandeep Sharma, 11. T Natarajan

Dubai Pitch and Weather Report

Teams batting first have won 12 of 18 matches at Dubai in IPL 2020. However, the chasing team has won the past four matches here. Given that dew is playing a factor given the weather has cooled down, the captain who wins the toss could look to chase.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Super Over, anyone? This has the potential to be another cracking game between two evenly-matched teams. KXIP’s greater batting depth might prove key, especially if they make inroads into the SRH top order. But, this one could come down to whoever chases, and whether the team bowling first can restrict their opponent to below 160-170.

Thanks for reading!