Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Charbel Coorey

The impressive Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be itching to get back in action. They host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a day game, which will be their first full match since April 3th where they chased CSK’s 209 with ease in Chennai. Their match against KKR on April 6th was washed out after 3.4 overs.

SRH too will be keen to get going. Their last match was on April 5th, going down to LSG despite a fighting effort after a terrible start. So, that will be a key area for improvement here as early wickets also hurt them against RCB in the tournament opener a few weeks ago. Can Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma get going?

SRH currently sit in sixth position with one win and two losses. They have a positive net run rate (0.275), but victory is still important here to maintain pace with the top four even in the early stages of the season. PBKS are aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to IPL 2026.

There is something that clicks for SRH when they come up against PBKS. They have won their past four matches head-to-head, including a chase of 246 with nine balls to spare last season.

IPL 2026 17th Match: PBKS vs SRH Possible Playing XIIs

Punjab Kings: 1. Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2. Priyansh Arya, 3. Cooper Connolly (OS), 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Nehal Wadhera, 6. Shashank Singh, 7. Marcus Stoinis (OS), 8. Marco Jansen (OS), 9. Xavier Bartlett (OS), 10. Vijaykumar Vyshak, 11. Arshdeep Singh, 12. Yuzvendra Chahal

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Travis Head (OS), 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan (c & wk), 4. Liam Livingstone (OS), 5. Heinrich Klaasen (OS), 6. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 7. Aniket Verma, 8. Harsh Dubey, 9. Shivang Kumar, 10. Harshal Patel, 11. Jaydev Unadkat, 12. Eshan Malinga (OS)

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Mullanpur Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

Spin could play an important role in this day game. In all games at Mullanpur in IPL 2025, pace bowlers took 44 wickets at an average of 29.61 and economy rate of 9.50. Spinners fared very well, taking 29 wickets at an average of 19.79 and economy of 7.81.

Earlier this season, Cooper Connolly’s 72* led PBKS to a tough win against Gujarat Titans in a game where the bowlers had a say.

A warm and clear afternoon is forecast for this match with a top temperature of 32 degrees.

Insights that could shape how the PBKS vs SRH match will transpire

Below are some interesting insights that could decide this contest, according to SPODA AI data.

• The average winning first innings score at Mullanpur since 2019 is 192.86.
• Since 2019, teams batting first and second lose an almost identical number of wickets in the powerplay at Mullanpur (2.09 vs. 2.08).
• Priyansh Arya is considered the likeliest player to make a 20+ score (64.58% probability). Heinrich Klaasen is next likeliest with 57.14%, followed by Shreyas Iyer (54.61%), Travis Head (53.33%) and Cooper Connolly (52.50%).
• Eshan Malinga has a 52.85% probability of taking 2+ wickets. Harshal Patel (36%) is the next highest for SRH, while Yuzvendra Chahal (35.71%) has the highest probability among PBKS bowlers.

For more such information, check out SPODA AI below, where you can even ask a question.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for PBKS vs SRH: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper picks:

• Ishan Kishan is one of the form T20 players with 627 runs this year at a strike rate of 203.6. He has a poor record against PBKS, though: 256 runs, avg. 19.7, SR 117.4.
• Prabhsimran Singh has scored 117 runs in his last three innings against SRH at a strike rate of 158.11.
• Heinrich Klaasen has struck two fifties in three matches this season. His matchup against Yuzvendra Chahal (30 balls, 56 runs, one wicket in the IPL) will make for interesting viewing.

Key batter picks:

• Priyansh Arya won man of the match in PBKS’ last completed match for his 11-ball 39 against CSK. The dynamic opener can make a big impact against SRH’s struggling attack today.
• Shreyas Iyer smashed 82 off 36 balls against SRH last season. He is a strong c/vc option in Dream11, but he does have a poor record at Mullanpur: 5 inns, 27 runs.
• Abhishek Sharma has an outstanding record against Punjab Kings: 5 inns, 297 runs, avg. 59.4, SR 196.7. He belted 141 off 55 balls in IPL 2025. He also has excellent numbers against Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen (see below).
• Travis Head’s indifferent form since the start of 2025 has hurt SRH. However, he has a high ceiling, as he showed against PBKS last season (66 off 37 balls).

Top allrounder picks:

• Cooper Connolly has looked brilliant batting at number three for Punjab Kings, with 108 runs in two innings so far. This includes a crucial 72* on this ground against GT.
• Ntiish Kumar Reddy has found form with scores of 39 and 56 in his past two matches. He can also contribute with the ball.

Key bowler picks:

• Arshdeep Singh is wicketless this season, but today is an opportunity for him as SRH have struggled in the powerplay. He has dismissed Ishan Kishan three times in 17 balls (32 runs) and Travis Head twice in 16 balls (22 runs) in the IPL.
• Vijaykumar Vyshak has been excellent at the death this season. He has accumulated 178 Dream11 points so far. His slower balls can be effective in this day game.
• Yuzvendra Chahal against SRH: 22 inns, 29 wickets, avg. 23.3, SR 17.6.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Marco Jansen had a bad time against SRH last season, but Sunrisers have struggled in the powerplay so far in IPL 2026. This brings Jansen into contention as a strong Dream11 pick. Same with Xavier Bartlett.
• Jaydev Unadkat and Harsh Dubey are SRH’s leading wicket-takers in IPL 2026 with four.

For predictive analysis that could help guide you in creating your fantasy cricket teams, check out SPODA AI (AI Cricket Prediction & Match Analysis Tool) below. If you sign up, you will receive 3 FREE match passes to start.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: PBKS 7, SRH 17.
• SRH have won the last four matches against PBKS.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Abhishek Sharma (IPL): 35 balls, 60 runs, one wicket.
• Marco Jansen vs. Abhishek Sharma (all T20s): 48 balls, 98 runs, two wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Heinrich Klaasen (all T20s): 20 balls, 21 runs, three wickets.

IPL 2026 17th Match: PBKS vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today

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Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2026 17th Match: PBKS vs SRH Match Prediction – Who will win?

SRH have the better of PBKS in recent times, but Punjab are well placed to break this run. PBKS to win.

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