Sunrisers Hyderabad need win to keep playoffs in sight

Sunrisers Hyderabad will need to beat Kings XI Punjab to stay within reach of a top four finish as the two sides clash in Hyderabad. They are currently a spot below, with the Kolkata Knight Riders their adversary in the battle for a playoff spot.

The Kings XI Punjab have had a rampaging campaign in this edition, but the Kolkata Knight Riders managed to get the better of them in their last match. The Punjab side will be eager to bounce back from the loss.

The Kings’ star pair Glenn Maxwell and David Miller remain their greatest threat, while Virender Sehwag has joined the party in his own capacity. Their captain George Bailey has been no slouch either.

The hosts will need the combined might of Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Darren Sammy to outmuscle the Kings. Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been in excellent form with the ball as well.

Following the win against Punjab, the Kolkata Knight Riders will look to continue winning as they take on the erratic Mumbai Indians at Cuttack. They’ve already beaten the defending champions once in UAE.

The Knight Riders are fourth in the points table with four wins and five loses. They need this win to keep them there with the Sunrisers Hyderabad behind only on run rate.

Gautam Gambhir has led the batting in the last two games with two half-centuries. The decision to include Morne Morkel and Piyush Chawla also paid dividends as the pair picked five wickets for 49 runs.