IPL 2023: A stiff Punjab Kings’ test awaits beleaguered Sunrisers Hyderabad | Cricket News – Times of India

HYDERABAD: It is still very early days in this season’s IPL but Sunrisers Hyderabad’s insipid performance in the first two games has left even the most die-hard fan aghast. There was no triumphal start to the campaign as the Sunrisers were mauled by Rajasthan Royals in a 72-run thrashing at home last Sunday and things got worse after they were nailed by Lucknow Super Giants in a five-wicket loss on Good Friday in Lucknow.
Will the Sunrisers be able to resurrect their campaign against Punjab Kings on Easter Sunday is the question predominant? If it has to happen, head coach Brian Lara and his men will have to bring in a whole new dimension to the game plan of the team.
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As of now, the Sunrisers have been flat and uninspiring in all departments of the game. The batting has lacked the needed firepower right from the top. Added to it is their inability to tackle the spinners. If it was Yuzvendra Chahal (4/17) in the first game, then it was the trio of Krunal Pandya (3/18), Amit Mishra (2/23) and Ravi Bishnoi (1/16) who tormented the Sunrisers’ batters.

The Sunrisers have had poor starts in both the games. Against Royals, Sunrisers managed a poor 30 and lost two wickets in the powerplay. It was only a shade better against Lucknow as they scored 43 for one. The arrival of skipper Aiden Markram for the second game was expected to bolster the faltering middle-order but unfortunately the South African fell for the first ball to Krunal Pandya. Added to it Englishman Harry Brooks hasn’t got to terms with the pressure of playing in the IPL. He seems to be quite uncomfortable against the spinners and that is hurting the Sunrisers, who had splurged Rs 13.25 crore on him in the auction. The only saving grace, thus far, has been Abdul Samad, who scored an unbeaten 32 against Royals and had remained not out on 21 against Lucknow.
The bowlers too haven’t looked threatening enough. They were blown away by the Royals in the first game and on Friday, they didn’t have much to defend.
The home side’s strategy of using only three foreign players against the Super Giants was a mystery and the team management needs to strategize on how to make maximum use of their foreign recruits, especially since their domestic players don’t seem to have the much-needed firepower to trouble the rival bowlers. Sunrisers will need to think of how to fit in explosive bat Heinrich Klaasen and pacer Marco Jansen in their playing XI.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings have been on a roll. With two wins from two games under their belt, the Kings are looking for another conquest on the morrow. After seeing off Kolkata Knight Riders by seven runs via the DLS, Punjab overcame the Royals’ challenge in a close five-run win to take maximum points from both their games.
In contrast to Sunrisers, Punjab’s opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh have been on a roll. The duo had got half-centuries against Royals in the previous game and that could be a bother for the Sunrisers.
The visitors do have a decent bowling attack too with Nathan Ellis bagging a four-wicket haul in the last game. The likes of Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Chahar could pose a few questions to the hosts.