IPL 2023: Match 14, Punjab Kings (PBKS) Predicted Playing XI vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Punjab Kings. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

With two wins in two outings, high-flying Punjab Kings (PBKS) are all set to take up their third assignment in an away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Both teams will square off at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday, April 9, in match 14 of the IPL 2023.

Hyderabad are currently placed in the opposite end of the spectrum with two losses on the trot. With regular skipper Aiden Markram back in the side, the orange outfit will be gunning to reverse their situation and get back in the contest.

Shikhar Dhawan and Co. boast a decent line-up but have certain areas to work upon. However, with two back-to-back wins, the side will be fairly confident in their approach and look to add two more points and stay on top of the standings.

Meanwhile, Markram’s Sunrisers are still yet to win their first points in the lucrative T20 league. A win at home in Hyderabad could boost their morale going ahead in the two-month-long tournament.

Here’s Punjab Kings’ predicted XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Openers: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh

Shikhar Dhawan remained unbeaten in his previous outing as he steered the side to attain 197 runs on the board against Rajasthan. He clobbered three maximums and nine boundaries to score 86 runs in the innings to help his side get ahead in the contest.

Similarly, Prabhsimran Singh played a quickfire 34-ball 60 in the exact match and has been quite explosive right from the start of the contest. The batter enjoys taking the powerplay overs (1-6) to his advantage and gets the big runs swiftly.

Middle Order: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan

Rajapaksa had to head back to the dugout retired hurt after a nasty blow to his hand from a fellow mate Dhawan. Considering that the batter is back in the net sessions, sweating it out, he will look to replicate the kind of innings he played against Kolkata Knight Riders in the first match. Rajapaksa got 50 runs in that clash, dispatching two into the stands and getting five boundaries.

Jitesh Sharma and Shahrukh Khan are yet to play their natural game, as they often relish playing aggressive cricket. Across both previous games, the two got a handful of deliveries to face and managed to score a few boundaries. However, the duo will look to come to all guns blazing against Hyderabad and help attain a mammoth total.

All-rounders: Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran

Sikandar Raza returned scores of 16 and one run, respectively, in both fixtures. Furthermore, he has proved quite expensive without getting many breakthroughs for his side. Assuming he makes it to the XI against SRH, the Zimbabwean will look to have an improved game.

Sam Curran is yet to get to his destructive best as a pacer. The English lad has leaked runs at an economy over 10 in both prior outings, with just one wicket to his name. Though he can come down the order and dispatch a few maximums, it remains to be seen if the star all-rounder lives up to his massive price tag in the coming games.

Bowlers: Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Nathan Ellis, Arshdeep Singh 

Nathan Ellis had a brilliant outing against the Royals as he got a four-wicket haul during the chase. Furthermore, he was able to restrict the rival side from targeting him to get the big runs which will help his team going forward in the league.

Harpreet has not yet got too many overs to display his full potential. However, the left-arm orthodox bowler could get his chance to dazzle against Hyderabad, considering that the latter struggled to play spin against Lucknow in their most recent outing.

Rahu Chahar has been relatively decent thus far in the two games, but a lot more will be expected from the spinner going ahead in the tournament. He will make maximum use of the turning tracks to get the vital scalps in the contest.  

Despite picking two wickets, the Royals hammered Arshdeep Singh for 47 runs in his four overs. Though he is among the leading wicket-takers in the league, the pacer will need to keep in mind to control leaking runs.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) probable XI:

Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Nathan Ellis, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh

Punjab Kings (PBKS) probable impact players:

Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Rishi Dhawan, Baltej Singh, Atharva Taide, Vidhwath Kaverappa