IPL 2019, Match 48: SRH vs KXIP – Key players who will decide the outcome of the contest
Two teams in desperate need of some momentum will face off at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium as Sunrisers Hyderabad host Kings XI Punjab. Both the teams have lost their way in the middle stages of the tournament, having lost the last couple of their matches. This has meant that the pressure is well and truly on both the sides and a loss could prove to be a lethal blow in their quest to qualify for the playoffs.
Both the teams have played 11 matches and have 10 points on the board, but SRH occupy the fourth spot and KXIP are sixth courtesy of the Sunrisers’ better net run-rate.
Here we take a look at a few players who will have a key role to play in the 48th match of the IPL:
David Warner
Making his comeback after a one-year suspension, it has been a thrill to watch the Australian opener bat. He has been ever-consistent for his franchise. In 11 matches played, he has scored a mammoth 611 runs at an average of 67.88 and is the current holder of the Orange Cap. This will be Warner’s final match in the tournament as he will be joining up with Australia’s camp for their World Cup preparations. The fiery opener will be aiming to go out with a bang.
Chris Gayle
The big Jamaican opener has looked much fitter this season and this has reflected in his form. He has been Punjab’s star performer with the bat this year, forging some great partnerships with KL Rahul at the top. Gayle has scored 444 runs at an average of 49.33 and a strike-rate of 162.04 to show glimpses of his vintage best. With their middle-order often looking flaky, KXIP will again rely on the Carribean legend to play a big knock.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan despite being highly economical, hasn’t had the kind of impact he would have hoped for in the tournament. Being SRH’s main strike bowler, he has only picked up 11 wickets in the 11 matches he has played so far. He will be hoping for a better haul when SRH play in their home conditions against KXIP. The Hyderabad-based franchise will be pinning their hopes on the Afghan to strike in the middle overs, which would boost their chances of restricting the opposition to a low score.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin has led KXIP admirably well this season, both as a skipper and with the ball in his hands. In 11 matches, he has picked up 12 wickets with a respectable economy rate of 7.18. He has used himself well, often leaving the opposition guessing on when he would come out to bowl. He will fancy himself against an SRH middle-order, which has, more often than not, underperformed and underwhelmed this season.
