The second match of the Indian Premier League (IPL-2021) Phase-2 will be played between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday. Both these teams are currently present in the last two places in the points table. Punjab team is at number seven with 6 points from 9 matches. At the same time, the Hyderabad team is at number eight with 4 points from 8 matches.
As far as the head-to-head clash is concerned, Hyderabad has the upper hand in this matter. There have been 17 matches between the two teams in IPL so far. Hyderabad has won 12. Punjab has won only 5 matches.
The team which can be said to be at the fore in terms of winning and losing in IPL is Punjab Kings. In the last match against Rajasthan, Punjab needed 4 runs in the last over and had 8 wickets in hand. Still, the team lost. Earlier in the 2020 season, Punjab needed 22 runs in the last 18 balls against Kolkata. 9 wickets left. Still, the team of Punjab lost the match. Now Punjab does not have time to repeat such mistakes. If Punjab has to maintain its hope of reaching the playoffs, then it will have to show a strong game against Hyderabad.
Nothing good has happened for the Hyderabad team this season. In the middle of the season, the team replaced David Warner with Kane Williamson as the captain. Despite this, the team is in last place. If Hyderabad also gets a defeat against Punjab, then their chances of reaching the playoffs will also be lost.
The IPL had to be stopped in May due to the entry of the Corona epidemic. That's why BCCI has to organize Phase 2. This time also a player has become Corona positive. That player is Hyderabad fast bowler T. Natarajan. He is a death-over specialist, so his absence is adding to the problems of Hyderabad. Hyderabad has replaced Natarajan with net bowler Umran Malik of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the chances of him getting selected in the playing 11 are very less.
In IPL 2019 till now Rashid Khan has taken 10 wickets against Punjab. Rashid also has a great record against Punjab captain KL Rahul. He has dismissed Rahul 3 times in 30 balls. It is possible that Williamson will try Rashid Khan against Rahul in the powerplay.
Manish Pandey (148.62) and Wriddhiman Saha (147.10) have had good strike rates in the powerplays since 2019. Manish Pandey is unable to play freely in the middle order. In view of this, the team can consider making the opening pair of Wriddhiman Saha and Manish Pandey. In this situation, Warner may have to play in the middle order. However, given Warner's reputation, it may be difficult for Williamson to make the decision.
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