IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad’ strongest predicted playing XI against Punjab Kings, Match 69

Sunrisers Hyderabad. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Match 69 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will see hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) taking on Punjab Kings (PBKS), at the renowned Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad, on (Sunday) May 19. This match is of little importance as SRH have already qualified for the playoffs while PBKS are out of the race after losing eight of their 13 matches. 

A washout in the previous match against Gujarat Titans (GT) means that SRH’s hope of a top-two finish in the points table is no longer in their hands. Playing their last league match, SRH need to beat PBKS and expect Rajasthan Royals (RR) to lose their upcoming match.

Pat Cummins and Co. are currently third in the points table with 15 points and an impressive net run rate of +0.406. A win would allow them to finish in the same position with 17 points as the winners of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clash can only reach a maximum of 16 points.

Here’s the strongest predicted playing XI of SRH for the 69th match of IPL 2024 against PBKS:

Openers: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma

Travis Head. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

If the PBKS bowlers fail to break this opening partnership in the first few overs, the match is more likely to shift to Travis Head versus Abhishek Sharma as the two compete to see who will take fewer balls to complete the half-century. Both the left-handers are too hot for the bowlers to handle, especially in the powerplay. 

The Aussie opener is currently the third leading run-scorer with 533 runs at an average of 53.30 and a staggering strike rate of 201.89. He has got a neck-and-neck battle from his partner at the other end who scored 401 runs at 36.45 and a strike rate of 205.64.

Also Check: Orange Cap in IPL 2024- Most Runs

Middle-order: Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad 

Heinrich Klaasen. (Source -IPL)

Heinrich Klaasen is the main strength of the SRH middle-order. The two openers will set the tone for a mammoth total and it will be up to Klaasen to keep the momentum going and give the team a fiery finish. The big-hitter South African has amassed 339 runs so far at an average of 42.38 and a strike rate of 186.26. 

Abdul Samad did not get many chances this time due to the blazing form of their top order. Samad bats in the lower order and is tasked with the finishing role. Notably, in the previous match against PBKS, the right-hander played a quick-fire knock of 12-ball 25 with the help of five boundaries.

All-rounders: Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh

Nithish Reddy. (Source – Twitter/X)

SRH all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been one of the finds this season. The 20-year-old has played a brilliant game of cricket so far and will aim to contribute more in the upcoming crucial matches. When the two teams met earlier this season, he scored 64 runs off 37 balls, took a wicket and was adjudged Player of the Match. 

Shahbaz Ahmed has had a decent run with RCB in the past and has improved his skills quite a bit since joining SRH. Although his primary strength lies in his spin bowling, Shahbaz has been there with the bat in the lower order to add some valuable runs. Sanvir Singh has only featured in a couple of games and we are yet to see his full potential.

Bowlers: Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande

Pat Cummins. (Source -IPL/BCCI)

Led by skipper Pat Cummins himself, the SRH pace attack looks strong with the presence of swing master Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with wicket-taking pacers T Natarajan and Jaydev Unadkat. Impact player Natarajan has taken the most wickets for SRH so far this season – 15 scalps. Cummins is just behind him with 14 wickets. 

Bhuvneshwar has returned to his vintage mode in the recent matches and that has given their bowling department a big boost. Mayank Markande will be the specialist spinner in the side but the leggie will have assistance from Shahbaz in the middle overs.

Also Check: Purple Cap in IPL 2024 – Most Wickets

SRH’s Predicted XI against PBKS:

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanvir Singh, Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande

Impact Substitute: T Natarajan