IPL 2021 Match 14 – Punjab Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad Betting Preview

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad – Preview, Prediction, Probable Playing XIs and Value Bets.

Match Details
Punjab Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Wednesday, April 21st, 2021
12:00 SA Time

Betting Preview

The 14th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will take place between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Chennai. Is it the first match of the Wednesday doubleheader. SRH have dominated the rivalry between these two teams, winning 11 matches out of 16. Although they lead the rivalry, SRH are coming into the match with three losses from three games in IPL 2021.

Punjab Kings, after winning their first game narrowly, have suffered to two losses on the trot against CSK and DC. PBKS have some serious holes to plug in their playing XI, finding the right balance being the primary one. PBKS were handed a six-wicket loss in their third match by DC. Mayank Agarwal made his return to the form with a blistering knock of 69 off 36 but the lack of intent from captain KL Rahul made sure PBKS fell 20 runs too short. As a result, they couldn’t defend the total against the rampant DC openers. High possibility that they’ll make few changes to their side.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have languished at the bottom of the table after their three losses. SRH have failed to chase their target on three occasions, seeing batting collapses from very good positions in all. SRH’s age-old issues of a weak lower middle order come to bite them time and time again. They’ll have to bring in Kane Williamson to give some stability there. Jonny Bairstow, opening the batting for the first time this season, destroyed MI bowlers on his way to 43 off 22 on a very difficult batting surface. They’d want to continue with the same approach.

Injury and Availability News

Punjab Kings have all the players available for the match. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kane Williamson, who was out of the first few matches due to fitness issues could be available for this game.

Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul (c/wk), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Fabian Allen, Jhye Richardson, Jalaj Saxena, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad, Vijay Shankar, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem, T Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed.

Pitch and Conditions

Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium is known for its slow nature and will help the spinners. Pitches at this venue have made batting extremely difficult as the innings progresses. The average first innings score at the Chepauk in IPL 2021 is 166.

Key Players to Watch Out For

Mayank Agarwal: The Punjab Kings opener has been in terrific form since 2020. After years of showing promise, Agarwal had a breakthrough IPL season in 2020 amassing 423 runs at an average of 38.5 and a strike rate of 156.1. Mayank has provided PBKS with quick-fire starts. In the last match against DC, Agarwal played a breathtaking knock of 36-ball-69 and he’d like to carry that form forward.

Chris Gayle: The universe boss needs no introduction. The greatest T20 batsman has plenty of records to his name and even at the age of 40, he instils fear in opponents. Batting at number 3 for PBKS, Gayle scored 288 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 137 in IPL 2020. Gayle is one of the rarest batsmen who have dominated Rashid Khan and this battle will be one to look forward to.

Kane Williamson: After missing the first three matches, SRH are likely to bring Kane Williamson back. SRH middle order is in shambles and Williamson could offer them the stability they desperately need. In 11 matches last year, Williamson scored 317 runs with an average of 45 and 133 strike-rate. He could play a crucial role in tackling the pace attack of Punjab Kings.

Rashid Khan: The Afghanistan spinner has his own legacy in the T20 format. Rashid Khan has changed the complexion of the match on his own time and again. He produced his best IPL season in 2020 with 20 wickets at an incredible economy rate of 5.38. So far IPL 2021, Rashid has 4 wickets to his name with an economy of 5.33.

What Bets To Take

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul to be PBKS’s top batsman at 2.75.

Mohammad Shami to be PBKS’s top bowler at 3.25.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner to be SRH’s top batsman at 3.00.

Rashid Khan to be SRH’s top bowler at 2.90.

Prediction: Punjab Kings to win at 1.76.