IPL 2021: Match 14, PBKS vs SRH Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) started their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign with a four-run win over the Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, after their defeats against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC), both of which came by six wickets, KL Rahul and Co have the worst net run rate of -0.967.

Their next match is against David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 21. The upcoming match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai where PBKS are yet to play a game this season.

The Orange Army, on the other hand, have been competitive, but have failed to get over the line after pretty decent shows with the ball in hand. They are the only team to not have opened their account and on Wednesday, Warner and Co would be desperate to register their maiden victory.

Match Details

Match – Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 14th match

Venue – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Time – 3:30 PM IST, 10:00 AM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network, Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch at the Chepauk has helped the spinners to a great extent. Batting may not be the easiest on the slow and low surface. Chasing can be tough and hence, batting first should be the way forward.

The playing conditions will be partly sunny, but with a temperature around the 34 degrees Celsius mark. There will be intermittent clouds at times, but with no chances of a downpour.

Avg first innings score: 170 (5 matches in IPL 2021 at the Chepauk)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 1, Lost – 4, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs:

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul (C & WK), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Fabian Allen/Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

Bench: Mandeep Singh, Dawid Malan, Sarfaraz Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Saurabh Kumar, Prabhsimran Singh, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Ishan Porel, Chris Jordan/Fabian Allen, Utkarsh Singh, Riley Meredith, Jalaj Saxena

Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Vijay Shankar, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, T Natarajan

Bench: Jason Roy, Virat Singh, Mohammad Nabi, Shreevats Goswami, Basil Thampi, Jagadeesha Suchith, Siddarth Kaul, Shahbaz Nadeem, Wriddhiman Saha, Jason Holder, Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed

Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 16 | Punjab Kings – 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad– 11 |N/R – 0

At neutral venues

Played – 3 | Punjab Kings – 2 | Sunrisers Hyderabad– 1 |N/R – 0

Probable best batsman of the match

Jonny Bairstow – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Jonny Bairstow has been the standout batter for the SRH franchise thus far in the tournament. Having tasted success both at the top and middle order, all eyes will be on the right-hander in the next game as well.

In three games, he has notched 110 runs at a strike rate of 146.66. Against PBKS, Bairstow has scored 117 runs at a strike rate of 144.44 with a top score of 97 last season.

Probable best bowler of the match

Rashid Khan– Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid Khan has arguably been SRH’s most prolific bowler this season. In three games, the leg-spinner has picked up four wickets and conceded only 64 runs at an economy rate of 5.33.

Against the Punjab-based team, his records are phenomenal, to say the least. In 32 overs, he has picked up 16 wickets, the most he has gotten against any opposition, at a decent economy rate of 6.22.

Today’s match prediction: Hyderabad to win the match.

Scenario 1

Hyderabad win the toss and bat

Powerplay score – 45-50

First innings score – 145-165

Hyderabad win the match

Scenario 2

Punjab win the toss and bat

Powerplay score – 40-45

First innings score – 135-155

Hyderabad to win the match

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.